Benzinga | May 17, 2013 07:16AM ET
U.S. equity futures rose slightly in early pre-market trade heading into the weekend after a week marked by small moves in equities in both directions. Stocks look set to test all-time highs again in Friday's session if futures can hold gains into the open.
Top News
In other news around the markets:
Asian shares were mostly higher overnight following the Japanese data. The Japanese Nikkei Index rose 0.67 percent and the Shanghai Composite Index gained 1.38 percent while the Hang Seng Index rose 0.17 percent. Also, the Korean Kospi gained 0.79 percent and Australian shares added 0.29 percent.
European Markets
European shares mixed overnight with moves remaining tepid following the auto sales data. The Spanish Ibex Index rose 0.08 percent and the Italian FTSE MIB Index added 0.17 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX fell 0.08 percent and the French CAC 40 rose 0.15 percent while U.K. shares added 0.11 percent.
Commodities
Commodities were mixed overnight with most metals continuing losses following the recent dollar strength. WTI Crude futures fell 0.09 percent to $95.07 per barrel and Brent Crude futures rose 0.12 percent to $103.80 per barrel. Copper futures rose 0.55 percent to $331.25, reversing two days of strong losses. Gold was lower and silver futures declined 1.01 percent to $22.43 per ounce.
Currencies
Currency markets were on the move as the dollar was erasing some earlier gains heading into the U.S. session but still remained stronger against most partners. The EUR/USD was flat at 1.2882 and the dollar rose against the yen to 102.36. Overall, the Dollar Index gained 0.33 percent on strength against the Canadian dollar, the pound, and the yen.
Earnings Reported Yesterday
Key companies that reported earnings Thursday include:
Stocks moving in the pre-market included:
Notable companies expected to report earnings Friday include:
On the economics calendar Friday, consumer sentiment and leading indicators are due out followed by the ECRI weekly index. Also, the Fed's Naryana Kocherlakota is set to speak. Over the weekend, Ben Bernanke is speaking on Saturday and could talk about Fed tapering.
BY Matthew Kanterman
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.