|
 * The Labor Department's report is expected to show an addition of
190,000 jobs in February and that the rate of unemployment remained
at an eight-year low. The data is due at 8:30 a.m. ET.
* An upbeat jobs report will add to a recent string of positive data
that points to a modest recovery in the U.S. economic growth, and
strengthen the Federal Reserve's case to gradually raise interest
rates this year.
* With corporate earnings winding down, investors will now focus on
macro-economic data as they wait for the Fed's next move. The
central bank's rate-setting committee is scheduled to meet on March
15-16.
* Stock markets worldwide edged higher as investor concerns about a
weakening global economy eased, following encouraging data from
major economies this week. Crude prices rose slightly.
* Wall Street closed higher on Thursday as the energy sector moved
into positive territory for the year.
* Also due at 8:30 is data by the Commerce Department that is likely
to show the trade deficit widened to $44 billion in January from
$43.4 billion in December.
* Shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise was up 8.1 percent at $13.60
premarket after the company reported better-than-expected profit and
revenue.
[to top of second column] |
Futures snapshot at 6:55 a.m. ET:
* Dow e-minis were up 24 points, or 0.14 percent, with 16,962
contracts changing hands.
* S&P 500 e-minis were up 2.25 points, or 0.11 percent, with 128,016
contracts traded.
* Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 10.5 points, or 0.24 percent, on volume
of 15,990 contracts.
(Reporting by Abhiram Nandakumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil
D'Silva)
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