Jobless claims decreased 9,000 in the April 7 week to 233,000 but are still trending slightly higher in what may be, at least possibly, a negative signal for the labor market.
- There were concerns that if jobless claims came in higher than expected for a second straight week, that there could be a drag on April’s employment report.
Investors were concerned with geopolitical risks, trade tensions and the Fed Minutes release and because U.S. stock volatility continued.
Overnight, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped, while Japan’s Topix index closed 0.4 percent lower with losses led by glass, rubber and coal producers.
In Europe, the Stoxx 600 Index was mostly unchanged during the US pre-market, while the ruble stretched out its rebound from the lowest level in 15 months.
S&P 500 futures pointed to a higher open and the 10-year Treasury yield increased to 2.788 percent.
Earnings today: Rite Aid, BlackRock, Shaw Communications, Commerce BancShares and Bank of the Ozarks are among companies announcing their quarterlies today.
