- Wall Street equity futures showed minimal movement as traders anticipated new data on the health of the economy and sought hints about the likelihood of rate hikes. Compared to Europe, where good earnings news boosted equities, the mood was less buoyant.
- After the two benchmarks rose on Wednesday, contracts for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 were down by less than 0.1%.
- The yen grew in value as the dollar declined against each of the other G-10 currencies. The benchmark 10-year yield decreased after rising by six basis points on Wednesday, which helped treasuries rise.
- Positive earnings reports, signs of economic resiliency, and indications that inflation is at least declining if it is still too high have given stock investors hope. Jobless claims and producer inflation figures that are due later on Thursday will give federal reserve officials more information after US retail sales in January increased by the most in almost two years and homebuilder confidence increased in February.
