|
*
The central bank raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to
between 0.25 percent and 0.50 percent, ending months of
uncertainty.
* Fed Chair Janet Yellen strongly hinted at a gradual tightening
of monetary policy after Wednesday's rate increase and that the
pace of further hikes would depend on inflation, which remained
firmly below the central bank's 2 percent target.
* Global markets jumped on Thursday, and the dollar
strengthened, while U.S. stocks closed sharply higher on
Wednesday.
* Investors will now keep a weather eye on data to gauge the
economy's capacity to withstand higher rates.
* U.S. economic data due on Thursday is expected to show jobless
claims fell last week to 275,000 from 282,00. The data is due at
8:30 a.m. ET (1330 GMT).
* Also scheduled for release at the same time is data on
third-quarter current account deficit, which is forecast to have
expanded to $118 billion from $109.7 billion.
* Pandora shares were up 19.8 percent at $16.10 after the
media-streaming company said new music royalty rates were
"balanced".
* Fedex was up 6.2 percent at $158 after it reported a
better-than-expected quarterly profit.
Futures snapshot at 6:56 a.m. ET:
* Dow e-minis were up 62 points, or 0.35 percent, with 23,224
contracts changing hands.
* S&P 500 e-minis were up 6.75 points, or 0.33 percent, with
178,690 contracts traded.
* Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 21.25 points, or 0.46 percent, on
volume of 22,015 contracts.
(Reporting by Abhiram Nandakumar and Aastha Agnihotri in
Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
|
