Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open on Friday, despite ongoing concerns over the consequences of the U.S. government shutdown and the absence of U.S. economic indicators later in the session.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.20% gain, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.26% rise, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.33% increase.
Markets were jittery as investors continued to weigh the implications of a protracted U.S. government shutdown.
On Thursday, disappointing U.S. service sector data added to concerns that the shutdown in Washington could have wider consequences on the U.S. economy.
The Institute of Supply Management said its non-manufacturing purchasing manager's index fell to a three-month low of 54.4 in September from a reading of 58.6 in August. Analysts had expected the index to decline to 57.4 last month.
The U.S. Labor Department on Thursday said the employment report for September will not be released as scheduled on Friday due to the government shutdown. It said a new release date had not been set.
Markets were also considering how the U.S. political deadlock will impact negotiations to raise the U.S. debt ceiling, which the U.S. Treasury Department has estimated will be reached by October 17.
Financial stocks were expected to be in focus, after JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon stepped down as chairman of the lender’s main bank subsidiary at the start of July. Shares edged down 0.12% in after-hour trade.
Facebook was also likely to be active, following reports the social-networking giant is planning to sell advertising on its Instagram photo service, marking the conpany's first effort to make money from its largest acquisition on record.
The news sent Facebook shares jumping 1.01% in early trading.
In the tech sector, Microsoft shares edged down 0.09% pre-market, after CEO Steve Ballmer received USD1.26 million in compensation for the 2013 fiscal year, missing out on more than half of his potential bonus.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were higher. The EURO STOXX 50 climbed 0.52%, France’s CAC 40 gained 0.53%, Germany's DAX inched up 0.04%, while Britain's FTSE 100 added 0.10%.
During the Asian trading session, Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index tumbled 0.94%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index remained closed for a public holiday.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.20% gain, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.26% rise, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.33% increase.
Markets were jittery as investors continued to weigh the implications of a protracted U.S. government shutdown.
On Thursday, disappointing U.S. service sector data added to concerns that the shutdown in Washington could have wider consequences on the U.S. economy.
The Institute of Supply Management said its non-manufacturing purchasing manager's index fell to a three-month low of 54.4 in September from a reading of 58.6 in August. Analysts had expected the index to decline to 57.4 last month.
The U.S. Labor Department on Thursday said the employment report for September will not be released as scheduled on Friday due to the government shutdown. It said a new release date had not been set.
Markets were also considering how the U.S. political deadlock will impact negotiations to raise the U.S. debt ceiling, which the U.S. Treasury Department has estimated will be reached by October 17.
Financial stocks were expected to be in focus, after JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon stepped down as chairman of the lender’s main bank subsidiary at the start of July. Shares edged down 0.12% in after-hour trade.
Facebook was also likely to be active, following reports the social-networking giant is planning to sell advertising on its Instagram photo service, marking the conpany's first effort to make money from its largest acquisition on record.
The news sent Facebook shares jumping 1.01% in early trading.
In the tech sector, Microsoft shares edged down 0.09% pre-market, after CEO Steve Ballmer received USD1.26 million in compensation for the 2013 fiscal year, missing out on more than half of his potential bonus.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were higher. The EURO STOXX 50 climbed 0.52%, France’s CAC 40 gained 0.53%, Germany's DAX inched up 0.04%, while Britain's FTSE 100 added 0.10%.
During the Asian trading session, Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index tumbled 0.94%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index remained closed for a public holiday.