Earnings reports might be the major focus on Friday. Personal Income and Spending, as well as Consumer Sentiment, are important for investors today. <\/p>\n
Chevron (CVX), Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Honeywell (HON) are due to report their quarterly results before the start of trading. Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL) and Intel (INTC) will report their quarterly results after the close of the day. <\/p>\n
As of 7.46 am ET, the Dow futures were losing 154.00 points, the S&P 500 futures were losing 43.00 points and the Nasdaq 100 futures were slightly up 185.75 points.<\/p>\n
The U.S. major averages on Thursday closed higher. The Dow were up 614.46 points or 1.9 percent to 33,916.39, the Nasdaq spiked 382.59 points or 3.1 percent to 12,871.53 and the S&P 500 surged 103.54 points or 2.5 percent to 4,287.50.<\/p>\n
On the economic front, the Commerce Department’s Personal Income and Outlays for March will be released at 8.30 am ET. The personal income consensus is for an increase of 0.4 percent, while it was up 0.5 percent in the prior month. <\/p>\n
The Labor Department’s Employment Cost Index for the first quarter will be issued at 8.30 am ET. The consensus is for an increase of 1.1 percent, while it was up 1.0 percent in the prior quarter. <\/p>\n
Market News International’s Chicago PMI for April will be published at 9.45 am ET. The consensus is for 61.3, while it was up 62.9 in the previous month. <\/p>\n
The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment report is scheduled at 10.00 am ET. The consensus is for 65.6, while it was up 65.7 in February. <\/p>\n
The Baker Hughes North American rig count for the week will be released at 1.00 pm ET. In the prior week, the North America Rig Count was 796 and the U.S. Rig Count was 695. <\/p>\n