U.S. equity futures gained in early pre-market trade Friday after Thursday's sell off as Chinese lending rates eased. The overnight SHIBOR rate fell to 7.9 percent from 12.8 percent and the seven day repo rate fell 8.1 percent from 11.6 percent Thursday.
Top News
In other news around the markets:
- The CME (CME) hiked margins on gold and platinum after the close Thursday. Gold margins were raised 25 percent while platinum margins increased 12.5 percent.
- The current account for the eurozone for April declined less than expected to 19.5 billion euros from 25.9 billion euros vs. the expected 14.2 billion euros.
- S&P 500 futures rose 8.8 points to 1,592.70.
- The EUR/USD was lower at 1.3214.
- Spanish 10-year government bond yields fell 1 basis point to 4.86 percent.
- Italian 10-year government bond yields fell 2 basis points to 4.56 percent.
- Gold rose 0.58 percent to $1,293.70 per ounce.
Asian shares were mostly lower save for Japanese stocks which gained on stimulus hopes. The Japanese Nikkei 225 Index rose 1.66 percent and the Topix Index gained 0.7 percent. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index fell 0.59 percent and the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.5 percent in China. Also, the Korean Kospi fell 1.49 percent and Australian shares declined 0.41 percent.
European Markets
European shares were mostly higher following positive comments from EU leaders at the EU summit as well as the better than expected current account data. The Spanish Ibex Index rose 0.14 percent and the Italian FTSE MIB Index gained 0.56 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX rose 0.32 percent and the French CAC 40 gained 0.8 percent while U.K. shares rose 0.53 percent.
Commodities
Commodities were bouncing off the lows overnight following the Fed's decision and global growth fears sparked by weak Chinese manufacturing data. WTI Crude futures were flat at $95.40 per barrel and Brent Crude futures rose 0.84 percent to $103.01 per barrel. Copper futures rose 0.28 percent to $308.00 per pound, bouncing off the lows. Gold was higher despite margin hikes and silver futures fell 0.44 percent to $19.74 per ounce.
Currencies
Currency markets were much more quiet than Thursday in early trade but the dollar continued to show modest strength. The EUR/USD was lower at 1.3214 and the dollar gained against the yen by 0.56 percent to 97.82. Overall, the Dollar Index was flat on strength against the euro, the pound, and the yen despite weakness against the Canadian dollar.
Earnings Reported Yesterday
Key companies that reported earnings Thursday include:
- Kroger (KR) reported first quarter EPS of $0.92 vs. $0.88 expected on revenue of $30.04 billion vs. $30.2 billion expected. The company also raised guidance for the full year.
- Oracle (ORCL) reported fourth quarter EPS of $0.87, in line with forecasts, on revenue of $10.95 billion vs. $11.12 billion expected. However, guidance for the first quarter was slightly weak.
- Pier 1 Imports (PIR) reported first quarter EPS of $0.19, in line, on revenue of $394.95 million vs. $395.02 million expected. The company also raised full year guidance which was still below Wall Street forecasts.
- Rite Aid (RAD) reported first quarter EPS of $0.09, in line, on revenue of $6.29 billion vs. $6.27 billion expected. However, full year guidance was weak.
Stocks moving in the pre-market included:
- Oracle (ORCL) shares fell 8.31 percent as the company reported lighter than expected revenue and guided below forecasts.
- Five Below (FIVE) shares rallied 4.25 percent pre-market after the company postponed its proposed secondary offering.
Notable companies expected to report earnings Friday include:
- CarMax (KMX) is expected to report second quarter EPS of $0.58 vs. $0.52 a year ago.
- Darden Restaurants (DRI) is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $1.04 vs. $1.15 a year ago.
- Discover Financial (DFS) is expected to report second quarter EPS of $1.14 vs. $1.21 a year ago.
On the economics calendar Friday, the Canadian CPI and retail sales reports are expected ahead of the ECRI Weekly Index. Also, note that it is a quadruple witching day. Monday morning, look out for the German IFO Business Climate Index.
BY Matthew Kanterman