By Anora Mahmudova and Barbara Kollmeyer, MarketWatch
Salesforce.com, Kohl's among stocks in focus
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stock futures headed lower as
investors shifted their attention to a batch of
weaker-than-expected economic reports on Thursday.
Consumer prices tumbled in January and inflation turned negative
compared with 12 months ago. Falling inflation, largely due to a
sharp drop in oil prices, increased real wages, however persistent
disinflation will complicate the Federal Reserve's desire to begin
normalizing interest rates sometime this year.
Weekly jobless claims jumped by more than expected, above
300,000 level. Meanwhile durable-goods orders were higher than
expected.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJH5) headed
south, dipping 10 points to 18,188, while those for the S&P 500
index (SPH5) turned flat at 2,109.40. Futures for the Nasdaq-100
(NDH5) were also flat at 4,439.
Read: Stock gains are making us dangerously complacent
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/stock-market-gains-are-making-us-dangerously-complacent-2015-02-25)
The Dow industrials was the only big index to close at a record
on Wednesday, though it managed just a 0.1% gain. Markets gained as
Yellen gave her second day of testimony before Congress, though
those rises largely faded. The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) finished
down 0.02%, breaking its 10-day winning streak.
Read: Opinion: Company executives are betting on this bull
market
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/company-executives-are-betting-on-this-bull-market-2015-02-25)
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/company-executives-are-betting-on-this-bull-market-2015-02-25)Also
coming, at 9 a.m. Eastern time, is the release of the Federal
Housing Finance Agency home-price index for December.
Stocks in focus: Shares of UIL Holdings Corp.(UIL) rose 16% in
premarket trading after Spanish utility Iberdrola ES announced
plans to buy the power and gas distributor in a $3 billion cash and
shares deal
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/iberdrola-to-buy-uil-holdings-for-3-billion-in-shares-cash-2015-02-26).
Shares of Salesforce.com Inc
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/salesforce-posts-strong-growth-in-deferred-sales-2015-02-25-164855910).(CRM)
rose 11%. Late Wednesday, the software maker posted strong growth
in deferred sales, which measures its future sales from a
subscription-based business model.
Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) posted continuing quarterly sales
losses
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sears-targets-reit-formation-in-may-or-june-2015-02-26-6485296),
while announcing that it has been successful in setting the stage
to convert 200 to 300 of its stores, including Kmart locations,
into a real-estate investment trust, which could generate $2
billion in profit.
Kohl's (KSS) shares rose 1.4% after the retailer beat profit and
sales estimates and raised its dividend. SeaWorld Entertainment Inc
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-to-expect-from-seaworlds-earnings-2015-02-25).(SEAS)
wast' budging after its loss per share was worse than expected.
Herbalife Ltd.(HLF), J.C. Penney Co. Inc.(JCP), Gap Inc.(GPS)
and Ross Stores Inc.(ROST) will report after the close.
Read: Herbalife, J.C. Penney, Kohl's earnings in focus
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/herbalife-jc-penney-kohls-earnings-in-focus-2015-02-26)
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/herbalife-jc-penney-kohls-earnings-in-focus-2015-02-26)Other
markets:European stocks
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-rise-as-german-unemployment-falls-2015-02-26)
got a small lift from news of a fall in German unemployment, while
Japanese stocks
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/japan-stocks-touch-15-year-high-again-2015-02-26)
once again touched a 15-year high. Gold
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-puts-janet-yellen-in-rearview-mirror-moves-higher-2015-02-26)(GCJ5)
was looking at a second day of gains, up another $16.20 to
$1,217.60 an ounce. Oil
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-gives-back-some-gains-as-investors-weigh-up-supply-2015-02-26)
futures (CLJ5) pulled back in the wake of Wednesday's higher
prices.
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