Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Thursday, ahead of the release of U.S. economic reports, while expectations for the Federal Reserve to soon scale down its stimulus program persisted.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.11% gain, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.21% increase, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.12% rise.
Investors were looking ahead to the weekly U.S. report on jobless claims later in the global day amid ongoing speculation over whether the Federal Reserve is moving closer to scaling back its USD85 billion-a-month asset purchase program.
Markets were also jittery amid speculation on whether the European Central Bank will implement negative interest rates on deposits following recent comments by senior bank officials.
Internet-related stocks were expected to be active, Dish Network raised its buyout offer for wireless service provider Clearwire Corp to USD4.40 per share, valuing the company at USD6.5 billion and topping a rival bid by Sprint Nextel by nearly 30%.
The news sent shares in Clearwire soaring 21.55% in after-hour trade.
On the downside, Google shares edged down 0.05% in extended trading, after the Financial Times reported that the company is preparing an attack on Apple's iPhone, with a device that is more aware of its surroundings and smart enough to anticipate how it will be used next.
Energy-linked companies were also likely to be in focus, after a unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway said it will pay USD5.6 billion for NV Energy, the electric utility serving Las Vegas and its casinos.
Separately, Alcoa tumbled 1.75% in pre-market trade after Moody’s Investors Service cut its rating on the aluminum producer's debt to one level below investment grade.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were higher. The EURO STOXX 50 rose 0.30%, France’s CAC 40 gained 0.44%, Germany's DAX added 0.17%, while Britain's FTSE 100 edged 0.09% higher.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slid 0.31%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index plunged 5.15%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to release data on pending home sales.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.11% gain, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.21% increase, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.12% rise.
Investors were looking ahead to the weekly U.S. report on jobless claims later in the global day amid ongoing speculation over whether the Federal Reserve is moving closer to scaling back its USD85 billion-a-month asset purchase program.
Markets were also jittery amid speculation on whether the European Central Bank will implement negative interest rates on deposits following recent comments by senior bank officials.
Internet-related stocks were expected to be active, Dish Network raised its buyout offer for wireless service provider Clearwire Corp to USD4.40 per share, valuing the company at USD6.5 billion and topping a rival bid by Sprint Nextel by nearly 30%.
The news sent shares in Clearwire soaring 21.55% in after-hour trade.
On the downside, Google shares edged down 0.05% in extended trading, after the Financial Times reported that the company is preparing an attack on Apple's iPhone, with a device that is more aware of its surroundings and smart enough to anticipate how it will be used next.
Energy-linked companies were also likely to be in focus, after a unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway said it will pay USD5.6 billion for NV Energy, the electric utility serving Las Vegas and its casinos.
Separately, Alcoa tumbled 1.75% in pre-market trade after Moody’s Investors Service cut its rating on the aluminum producer's debt to one level below investment grade.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were higher. The EURO STOXX 50 rose 0.30%, France’s CAC 40 gained 0.44%, Germany's DAX added 0.17%, while Britain's FTSE 100 edged 0.09% higher.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slid 0.31%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index plunged 5.15%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to release data on pending home sales.