After yesterday's nervous run, Wall Street seems to be striving to regain the momentum that has helped the averages scale new record highs in recent sessions. The U.S. index futures point to a modestly higher opening on Friday. A few key earnings reports released after the markets closed yesterday have largely been negative. Meanwhile, on the economic front, traders could react to a consumer sentiment reading and the Conference Board's data on the leading economic indicators index for the U.S. Risk appetite is on the wane, with the dollar gaining strength on the back of expectations that the Fed's stimulus measures may be rolled back earlier than anticipated. At the same time, oil is trading modestly higher.
As of 6:15 pm ET, the Dow futures are moving up 41 points, the S&P 500 Index futures are adding 4.60 points and the Nasdaq 100 futures are gaining 4.75 points.
After showing resilience in recent sessions, U.S. stocks had an off day on Thursday, as traders digested a batch of mixed economic reports and disappointing earnings from Wal-Mart (WMT).
On the economic front, Reuters and the University of Michigan are scheduled to the release the preliminary reading of their consumer sentiment index for May at 9:55 am ET. Economists expect an increase in the index to 78 in May from 76.4 in April.
The Conference Board will release its U.S. leading economic indicators index for April at 10 am ET. The consensus expectations call for a 0.3 percent increase in the index following a 0.1 percent drop in March.
Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Narayana Kocherlakota is due to participate in a panel on monetary policy and financial regulation at the University of Chicago Booth School at 1:45 pm ET.
In corporate news, Dell (DELL) reported first quarter earnings that missed estimates, while its revenues were ahead of expectations. Autodesk (ADSK) reported first quarter results that trailed expectations and its guidance for the second quarter and the full year was weak as well. SINA's (SINA) first quarter results exceeded estimates and its guidance was positive.
Group 1 Automotive (GPI) announced a 6.7 percent increase in its dividend to 16 cents per share. Yahoo (YHOO) said the Superior Court of Justice for the Federal District in Mexico has granted the company's appeal, overturning a non-final judgment of $2.75 billion against Yahoo and its Mexican unit by a civil court.
Brocade (BRCD) reported second quarter non-GAAP earnings of 17 cents per share, up from 15cents per share last year. Revenues fell 8 percent sequentially to $538.8 million. The earnings beat estimates, while the revenues were shy of expectations.
Aruba Networks (ARUN) reported third quarter non-GAAP earnings of 11 cents per share on revenues of $147.1 million. The results missed expectations. Nordstrom (JWN) reported first quarter results trailed expectations and its guidance was lackluster.
ViaSat (VSAT) reported fourth quarter non-GAAP earnings of 19 cents per share on revenues of $308.7 million. The results exceeded estimates.
Williams (WMB) announced a 4 percent increase in its second quarter dividend to $0.3525 per share. The company also said it is targeting a 20 percent increase in its full year dividend in each 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Most major Asian markets closed higher despite the negative lead from Wall Street overnight. The Chinese and the Indonesian markets led the gains in the region, with the key averages in these markets rising in excess of 1 percent each. The Australian, Malaysian, Japanese and Indian markets advanced, while the New Zealand, Singaporean and Taiwanese markets retreated.
After languishing in the red in the morning, Japan's Nikkei 225 average recovered by the mid-session and advanced thereafter, ending the day 100.88 points or 0.67 percent higher at 15,138. Australia's All Ordinaries hovered in positive territory throughout the session, ending 15.60 points or 0.30 percent higher at 5,160.
China's Shanghai Composite jumped 31.06 points or 1.38 percent before closing at 2,283.
On the economic front, a report released by Japan's Cabinet Office showed that core machinery orders rose a seasonally adjusted 14.2 percent month-over-month in March compared to expectations for a 3.5 percent increase. Annually, core machinery orders rose 2.4 percent, belying expectations for a 4.9 percent drop. The Conference Board said its leading economic indicators index for China rose 1.5 percent in April following a 0.6 percent drop in March. Four of the six components contributed positively to the index in April.
After opening lower, European stocks are currently trading mostly higher amid some volatility, as the major averages trade close to multi-year highs.
In corporate news, container shipping firm AP Moller-Maersk reported that its first quarter net income declined but the decline is not as worse as the drop forecast by some analysts. The company maintained its full year outlook.
On the economic front, Eurostat reported that construction orders received by the eurozone fell 7.9 percent year-over-year in March and were 1.7 percent lower than in the previous month.
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Market Analysis
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.