Greece’s Prime Minister George Papandreou was expected to offer to step down from office on Thursday, the BBC reported.
The European Central Bank, in a surprise move, cut interest rates to 1.25% from 1.5%.
U.S. first-time jobless claims fell last week to 397,000 from a revised 406,000.
Indications: U.S. stock futures advance; Greece in focus
U.S. stock-index futures traded higher as European leaders turned up the pressure on Greece, saying it must decide whether it wants to remain part of the euro, and as the European Central Bank cut interest rates.
Indications
Economic Report: France and Germany warn Greece on aid
France and Germany said a sixth tranche of aid for Greece won’t be paid unless the country decides to adopt the European proposals outlined last week to help the region out of its sovereign-debt crisis, according to reports.
Economic Report
Europe Markets: Europe stocks rebound; Greece, ECB in focus
European stocks rose on Thursday, erasing losses as traders monitored political developments in Greece.
European Markets
Asia Markets: Asia stocks mostly lower ahead of G-20 meet
Most Asian share markets traded with sizeable losses, with financials particularly weak ahead of a key international summit, as fresh signs surfaced that Europe is struggling to work together to contain its debt troubles.
Asia Markets
Currencies: Euro flat as traders watch Greece and ECB
The euro traded little changed versus the dollar.
Currencies Report
