Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed to a mixed open on Friday, as investors eyed the release of U.S. data later in the day, after recent U.S. employment reports fuelled further speculation that the Federal Reserve could refrain from tapering its stimulus program this year.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.01% dip, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.08% loss, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.20% rise.
Markets were jittery after disappointing U.S. employment reports added to expectations that the Fed will delay tapering its stimulus program until next year amid concerns over the impact of the 16-day U.S. government shutdown on the economic recovery.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits declined by 12,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 350,000. Analysts had expected U.S. jobless claims to fall by 22,000 to 340,000 last week.
The report came after data earlier in the week showed that U.S. jobs growth slowed in September.
In earnings news, late Thursday, Zynga reported a smaller-than-expected loss as purchases of items used in games exceeded the company’s forecast, sending shared up 12.87% in extended trading.
Amazon.com saw shares surge 8.07% pre-market after saying that third-quarter revenue grew 24% to USD17.1 billion, exceeding analysts' estimates of USD16.8 billion.
Elsewhere, the financial sector was expected to remain in focus following reports JPMorgan Chase is in talks with federal prosecutors in New York to resolve allegations it helped facilitate Bernard Madoff’s crimes.
Separately, Bank of America was said to be planning to eliminate 3,000 mortgage jobs before the end of the year.
In the tech sector, Apple shares were down 0.08% in early trading, as the company was preparing to extend sales of its news iPhones 5S and 5C overseas on Friday.
On Thursday, billionaire Carl Icahn asked the tech giant to commence an immediate tender offer of USD150 billion in a letter to CEO Tim Cook.
Other stocks likely to be in focus included P&G and UPS, scheduled to report quarterly earnings later in the day.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were higher. The EURO STOXX 50 slipped 0.15%, France’s CAC 40 fell 0.20%, Germany's DAX dipped 0.05%, while Britain's FTSE 100 edged up 0.08%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 0.60%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index plummeted 2.75%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to produce data on durable goods orders, as well as revised data on consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.01% dip, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.08% loss, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.20% rise.
Markets were jittery after disappointing U.S. employment reports added to expectations that the Fed will delay tapering its stimulus program until next year amid concerns over the impact of the 16-day U.S. government shutdown on the economic recovery.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor said the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits declined by 12,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 350,000. Analysts had expected U.S. jobless claims to fall by 22,000 to 340,000 last week.
The report came after data earlier in the week showed that U.S. jobs growth slowed in September.
In earnings news, late Thursday, Zynga reported a smaller-than-expected loss as purchases of items used in games exceeded the company’s forecast, sending shared up 12.87% in extended trading.
Amazon.com saw shares surge 8.07% pre-market after saying that third-quarter revenue grew 24% to USD17.1 billion, exceeding analysts' estimates of USD16.8 billion.
Elsewhere, the financial sector was expected to remain in focus following reports JPMorgan Chase is in talks with federal prosecutors in New York to resolve allegations it helped facilitate Bernard Madoff’s crimes.
Separately, Bank of America was said to be planning to eliminate 3,000 mortgage jobs before the end of the year.
In the tech sector, Apple shares were down 0.08% in early trading, as the company was preparing to extend sales of its news iPhones 5S and 5C overseas on Friday.
On Thursday, billionaire Carl Icahn asked the tech giant to commence an immediate tender offer of USD150 billion in a letter to CEO Tim Cook.
Other stocks likely to be in focus included P&G and UPS, scheduled to report quarterly earnings later in the day.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were higher. The EURO STOXX 50 slipped 0.15%, France’s CAC 40 fell 0.20%, Germany's DAX dipped 0.05%, while Britain's FTSE 100 edged up 0.08%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 0.60%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index plummeted 2.75%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to produce data on durable goods orders, as well as revised data on consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan.