In U.S. economic news, jobless claims rose by 2,000 to 366,000 in the latest week, the Labor Department reported.
July housing starts declined, the Commerce Department reported.
Read: July claims up slightly last week.
Read: July housing starts down 1.1% to 746,000 .
Indications: Stock futures edge up on China stimulus hopes
U.S. stock futures edged higher, finding a modicum of support after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the country has room to further ease monetary policy, while Wal-Mart shares declined in premarket action after the retailer’s third-quarter forecast disappointed. U.S. economic data were also in focus.
Read: Indications
Economic Report: China FDI data signals flagging confidence
China’s foreign direct investment in July contracted 8.7% from a year earlier, marking its weakest level in two years and signaling lower foreign confidence in the mainland economy’s prospects.
Read: Economic Report
Europe Markets: European stocks inch lower amid thin volumes
European stock markets nudged lower. Read: Europe Markets
London Markets: U.K. stocks choppy; miners rise, oil firms drop
The U.K. index struggled to find direction as miners advanced but oil firms and bank shares weighed on stocks.
Read: London Markets
Asia Markets: Japan stocks shine, as China, Hong Kong retreat
Japanese stocks caught a tailwind from a weakened yen to lead Asian markets.
Read; Asia Markets
Currencies: Dollar up as Japanese yen continues slide
The U.S. dollar notched modest gains as the Japanese yen continued its recent slide amid a rise in U.S. Treasury yields and expectations the Bank of Japan will move to further ease monetary policy before the Federal Reserve.
Read: Currencies
Metals Stocks: Gold futures inch lower as demand drops
Gold futures retreated slightly, as demand for the metal slowed in the second quarter, while a firmer dollar also added pressure.
Read: Metals Stocks
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