Last update: 9:30 am EST
Stocks opened mixed Thursday morning with the Nasdaq 100 (NDX) and the S&P 500 (SPX) fell 0.36% and 0.03%, respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 0.23% at 9:30 am EST on January 4.
Jobless claims data for the week ending December 30 indicated that new jobless claims decreased by 18,000 to a nearly three-month low of 202,000 from a revised figure of 220,000 in the previous week. Economists had forecast new claims would total 219,000.
New unemployment claims decreased in 31 of the 53 states and territories, while they increased in 22 other states.
First Posted: 3:29 am EST
US futures rose slightly on Thursday morning after ending the first two trading sessions of 2023 in the red. Futures on the Nasdaq 100 (NDX), S&P 500 (SPX), and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) increased by 0.23%, 0.16%, and 0.17%, respectively, as of 3:29 a.m. EST on January 4.
On the economic front, the December Initial Unemployment Claims Report, a key indicator of the health of the labor market, is scheduled to be released today at 8:30 a.m. EST. Additionally, the December private payroll report is due to be released today by Automatic Data Processing (ADP). Additionally, Walgreens Boots Alliance (AMB), Conagra (CAG), and Lamb Weston (L.W.) are the key results releases planned for today.
Meanwhile, oil prices were trending higher at the time of writing as worsening geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raised fears of supply disruption. WTI crude oil futures rose, hovering around $73.58 per barrel at last check.
Elsewhere, European markets opened higher on Thursday as investors rejoiced over several recently released economic reports. French inflation data revealed a slower-than-expected rise in the consumer price index for December. Additionally, minutes from the US Federal Reserve's December meeting indicated that interest rate cuts were likely in 2024.
Asia-Pacific markets ended lower on Thursday
Most Asia-Pacific indices ended Thursday's session in the red.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index closed down 0.003%, while China's Shenzhen Component and Shanghai Composite Indices closed down 1.24% and 0.43%, respectively.
Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei index closed down 0.53%, while the Topix index rose 0.52%.
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