Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed to a moderately higher open on Friday, ahead of the release of U.S. economic reports later in the day amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of the Federal Reserve's stimulus program.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.11% gain, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.27% increase, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.27% rise.
The release of mixed U.S. data on Thursday added to uncertainty over whether the U.S. central bank could start winding up its USD85 billion-a-month asset purchase program later this year.
The Department of Labor on Thursday said the number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. fell to the lowest level since January 2008 last week, dropping by 15,000 to 320,000.
A separate report showed that U.S. consumer prices rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.2% in July, in line with forecasts. Core consumer prices, excluding food and energy costs, also rose 0.2%, matching forecasts.
In addition, data showed that U.S. industrial production was flat in July, missing expectations for a 0.3% increase.
Other reports showed that manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia-region expanded at the slowest pace in four months in August, while manufacturing activity in the Empire state fell unexpectedly.
Tech stocks were expected to be active, as Dell said late Thursday that net income for the fiscal second quarter fell 72% to USD204 million from USD732 million a year earlier. Dell shares dropped 0.40% in after-hour trade.
Separately, BlackBerry gained 0.32% in extended trading, amid reports Chief Executive Officer Thorsten Heins stands to make USD55.6 million if he sells the company and is ousted.
In the energy sector, Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell were said to be among bidders for Asian oil and natural gas fields that may fetch about USD3 billion for Hess Corp. and Newfield Exploration Co.
Other stocks likely to be in focus included Ann and Foot Locker, scheduled to post results later in the day.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were mixed. The EURO STOXX 50 added 0.25%, France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.19%, Germany's DAX slipped 0.21%, while Britain's FTSE 100 dipped 0.06%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.10%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index dropped 0.75%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to produce data on building permits and housing starts, while the University of Michigan was to release its closely watched preliminary data on consumer sentiment.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.11% gain, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.27% increase, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.27% rise.
The release of mixed U.S. data on Thursday added to uncertainty over whether the U.S. central bank could start winding up its USD85 billion-a-month asset purchase program later this year.
The Department of Labor on Thursday said the number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. fell to the lowest level since January 2008 last week, dropping by 15,000 to 320,000.
A separate report showed that U.S. consumer prices rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.2% in July, in line with forecasts. Core consumer prices, excluding food and energy costs, also rose 0.2%, matching forecasts.
In addition, data showed that U.S. industrial production was flat in July, missing expectations for a 0.3% increase.
Other reports showed that manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia-region expanded at the slowest pace in four months in August, while manufacturing activity in the Empire state fell unexpectedly.
Tech stocks were expected to be active, as Dell said late Thursday that net income for the fiscal second quarter fell 72% to USD204 million from USD732 million a year earlier. Dell shares dropped 0.40% in after-hour trade.
Separately, BlackBerry gained 0.32% in extended trading, amid reports Chief Executive Officer Thorsten Heins stands to make USD55.6 million if he sells the company and is ousted.
In the energy sector, Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell were said to be among bidders for Asian oil and natural gas fields that may fetch about USD3 billion for Hess Corp. and Newfield Exploration Co.
Other stocks likely to be in focus included Ann and Foot Locker, scheduled to post results later in the day.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were mixed. The EURO STOXX 50 added 0.25%, France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.19%, Germany's DAX slipped 0.21%, while Britain's FTSE 100 dipped 0.06%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.10%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index dropped 0.75%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to produce data on building permits and housing starts, while the University of Michigan was to release its closely watched preliminary data on consumer sentiment.