U.S. equity futures fell in pre-market trading following weak eurozone manufacturing PMI's. The eurozone manufacturing PMI for February fell to 47.8 from 47.9 in January, worse than forecasts of a reading of 48.5, with weakness in France and Germany weighing on the broad Eurozone measure.
Top News
In other news around the markets:
- China's Leading Economic Index rose nearly one percent in January to 253.4, faster than the 0.4 percent gain seen in December, a large jump and a bullish sign for Chinese and global economies.
- Several members of the FOMC warned that the committee should be prepared to taper purchases even before economic targets have been met.
- Spain and France issued more than 12 billion euros in bonds with Spanish yields falling from the previous auction while French yields ticked higher.
- S&P 500 futures fell 4.2 points to 1,502.90.
- The EUR/USD was fell to 1.3172.
- 10-year Spanish government bond yields fell to 5.18 percent.
- 10-year Italian government bond yields rose to 4.46 percent.
- Gold fell 0.65 percent to 1,567.70 per ounce.
Asian shares were sharply lower overnight on fears over liquidity and the housing bubble in China. The Japanese Nikkei Index fell 1.39 percent and the Shanghai Composite Index fell a whopping 2.97 percent and the Hang Seng Index fell 1.72 percent. Also, the Korean Kospi fell 0.47 percent and Australian shares fell hard with Chinese ones by 2.33 percent.
European Markets
European shares were lower in early trade following the weaker than expected PMI data for February. The Spanish Ibex Index fell 1.24 percent and the Italian FTSE MIB Index fell 2.42 percent ahead of the Italian parliamentary elections this weekend. Meanwhile, the German DAX fell 1.48 percent and the French CAC fell 1.44 percent while U.K. shares fell 1.48 percent.
Commodities
Commodities were also sharply overnight, reflecting the broad risk-off environment of global markets. WTI Crude futures fell 1.23 percent to $94.46 per barrel and Brent Crude futures fell 0.87 percent to $114.62 per barrel. Copper futures fell 1.41 percent to $357.45 per pound. Gold was lower and silver futures fell 0.5 percent to $28.48 per ounce.
Currencies
Currency markets were in flux overnight as the euro weakened and the yen rose. The EUR/USD was lower by 0.84 percent at 1.3172, and the dollar fell against the yen to 93.16. Overall, the Dollar Index rose 0.48 percent on strength against the euro, the pound, the Swiss franc and the Canadian dollar.
Pre-Market Movers
Stocks moving in the pre-market included:
Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA ) shares fell 6.07 percent pre-market as the company reported a wider than expected quarterly loss.VeriFone Systems (NYSE: PAY) shares declined a whopping 33.74 percent after the company missed earnings estimates and slashed guidance.Michael Kors (NYSE: KORS) shares rose 0.57 percent pre-market after the company priced its secondary offering at $61.50 per share.TRW Automotive Holdings (NYSE: TRW) shares fell 1.48 percent pre-market after the company commenced the book building for its secondary offering.Earnings
Notable companies expected to report earnings Thursday include:
- AIG (NYSE: AIG) is expected to report a fourth quarter loss of $0.09 per share vs. EPS of $0.82 a year ago.
- Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $0.71 vs. $0.92 a year ago.
- Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN) is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $1.34 vs. $1.11 a year ago.
- Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $1.57 vs. $1.44 a year ago.
- WedMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD) is expected to report a fourth quarter loss of $0.04 per share vs. EPS of $0.33 a year ago.
On the economics calendar Thursday, CPI inflation, jobless claims and the Flash Manufacturing PMI are due . Later, existing home sales data, the Philly Fed Survey and leading indicators are expected. Also, James Bullard, Richard Fisher and John Williams of the Fed are set to speak, and the Treasury will auction 30-year TIPS. Overnight, the latest revision to German GDP and the German IFO Business Climate Index could move markets.
BY Matthew Kanterman