Weekly U.S. jobless claims edged up by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 427,000, while the trade deficit narrowed sharply in April as imports from Japan were curtailed by the earthquake and tsunami that struck the country.
Indications: U.S. stock futures edge higher
U.S. stocks market futures rose Thursday following six days of losses as investors eyed the latest weekly figures on jobless claims and the April trade balance.
Read more on U.S. stock futures.
Europe Markets: ECB, BoE in focus as European stocks steady
European stock markets held mostly flat after the Bank of England and European Central Bank left their interest rates on hold, as expected. Banking stocks were mostly lower and shares of Nestle SA dropped after a downgrade.
See Europe Markets for more details.
London Markets: Lloyds, Home Retail weigh in London
Stocks in London held broadly flat as weakness in banks and retailers quashed hopes for a further rise in the FTSE 100.
Also see London Markets.
Asia Stocks to Watch: China banks hit by Citic fundraising worries
Chinese lenders listed in Hong Kong dropped amid fresh concerns over potential distressed-loan problems after a mid-sized lender unveiled plans a day earlier to tap the markets for fresh funds.
Read more on China’s fundraising worries.
Currencies: Euro edges higher as ECB stays on hold
The euro edged higher ahead of European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet’s monthly news conference, where he’s expected to signal a July rate hike.
See the latest on currencies.
Futures Movers: Oil extends gains after OPEC holds output
Crude-oil futures edged higher, extending gains made after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries kept official production quotas unchanged.
Read more on the OPEC-inspired gains.
Metals Stocks: Gold logs 2nd losing session in a row
Gold futures dropped more than $5 an ounce to log their second losing session in a row as traders considered dollar movement and Fed chief Bernanke’s acknowledgment of slow U.S. growth.
