(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors) U.S. stock futures were slightly higher in early trading Thursday as investors took in a plethora of economic reports after Yellen's two-day Congressional testimony ended yesterday including data on jobless claims durable goods orders and consumer prices.
Futures on the three major US market indexes were up 0.1% premarket after stocks ended essentially flat on Wednesday though the Dow managed to eke out another record close. Both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 settled slightly lower.
On the economic calendar today the Labor Department reported initial jobless claims rose by a greater-than-expected 31000 to 313000 in the week that ended February 21. Economists had expected a smaller rise to 290000 according to Bloomberg.
Meanwhile consumer prices in January fell 0.7% slightly more than the 0.6% fall economists had estimated. Core minus the volatile food and energy categories rose 0.2% higher than expected.
Durable goods orders in January climbed 2.8% better than the 2.0% rise expected and compared to a 3.4% decline in December.
Crude prices tumbled this morning after settling 3.5% higher in New York on Wednesday snapping a five-day losing streak. WTI crude for April delivery fell 88 cents to $50.08 a barrel while gold futures jumped $18 to $1219 an ounce.
In corporate activity Kohl's () shares rose premarket after its quarterly earnings and revenue topped market estimates while its outlook for the year matched views.
L Brands () reported fourth quarter earnings and sales that also topped estimates but the retailer warned on its current quarter and full year outlook.
() shares surged over 12% premarket after the cloud software provider raised its full year revenue forecast. The company also reported quarterly results that met estimates.
After the closing bell today Gap () and J.C. Penney () will be reporting quarterly results.
In other news Royal Bank of Scotland (NYSE:RBS) is pulling its investment banking operations out of 25 countries to focus on lending in Great Britain. It also reported a loss last year of $5.4 billion.
() has agreed with federal regulators to pay $2.6 billion to settle claims related to the sale of mortgage-backed securities during the financial crisis.
Anheuser-Busch () has raised its annual dividend by 46% and announced a $1 billion share buyback program while also forecasting improved beer sales.
() said it will buy Italy's Sorin for $1.4 billion in stock. The two companies make medical devices for cardiac surgery.
European markets mostly rose Thursday led by gains in Germany after better-than-expected labor market data from Europe's largest economy. Japanese stocks rose to a fresh 15-year high on Thursday as oil explorers got a boost from a rebound in global crude prices in the previous session.
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