U.S. stock index futures were higher ahead of Friday’s open, as investors kept abreast of the volatile trading seen in markets worldwide.
Around 5:00 a.m. ET, Dow futures were up 102 points, indicating an open of 246.54 points. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures also indicated a positive open. The movements seen in U.S. futures come on the back of a sharply lower finish to Thursday’s trade.
In the previous session, U.S. stocks finished deep in the red as higher interest rates continued to weigh on sentiment.
The Dow Jones industrial average finished the session down 1,032.89 points at 23,860.46 — entering correction territory. In addition, investors have been on edge, as developments in the political space surface.
Late Thursday, it became apparent that parts of the U.S. government would be entering a shutdown, after the Senate failed to secure the passing of a spending bill by the midnight deadline.
During Friday’s early hours, however, the Senate managed to pass a short-term funding bill, giving way to ending the shutdown whilst boosting military and domestic spending. The measure now goes to the House, where it faces some resistance.
On Friday, earnings and economic data will continue to trickle in as the trading week draws to a close. In corporate news, Moody’s, PG&E and CBOE are set to publish earnings ahead of the bell. Wholesale trade data is due to come out at 10 a.m. ET.
No speeches by the U.S. Federal Reserve are scheduled to take place Friday.
