[Screen Shot 2016 05 20 at 8.18.00 AM copy] Stock futures are a hair higher on Friday ahead of a quiet day for economic data. Near 8:07 a.m. ET, Dow futures were up 49 points (0.28%), S&P 500 futures were up 5 points (0.27%) and Nasdaq futures were up 14 points (0.34%). The Dow and S&P 500 are still red for the week, and closed lower over the previous three. The S&P 500 went red for the year again on Thursday. If they close down again on Friday, it would be the first four-week losing streak since October 2014. For the Nasdaq, it would be the first five-week streak since 2012. Stocks closed lower on Thursday, continuing to sell off following Wednesday's Federal Reserve minutes that showed the policy-setting committee may raise rates in June if the economic data lines up. Existing home sales numbers are due at 10 a.m. ET, and that's the only item on the US data calendar. Just after 1 p.m., driller Baker Hughes will release its weekly count of US oil and gas rigs. The combined total fell to another record low last week, as the oil tally declined for a seventh straight period. Crude oil prices are little changed in early trading. West Texas Intermediate crude is up 0.1% to $48.74 per barrel in New York. On the earnings front, John Deere reported better-than-expected profits, but cut its outlook for full-year net income amid what it calls a "global farming recession." SEE ALSO: WHAT'S HAPPENING IN FX SEE ALSO: THE BOND MARKET COULD BE RECREATING THE MASSACRE OF 1994 Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: FORMER GREEK FINANCE MINISTER: The single largest threat to the global economy
 |
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.businessinsider.com |