Dow Futures Edge Higher Ahead Of Debt Talks And Bank Earnings

Stock index futures suggest that the Dow Jones and S&P 500 may open modestly higher this morning, as investors await further news, after yesterday’s relief rally lifted US markets by more than 2%.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

LONDON — Stock index futures at 7am ET indicate that the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) may open up 0.13% this morning, while the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) may open up by one point, as investors reserve judgement on a debt ceiling deal, following yesterday’s 2.2% market surge. CNN’s Fear & Greed Index has risen into the fear zone, and is expected to open at 35 this morning, after closing at 22 yesterday.

European markets edged cautiously higher in trading this morning, as investors continued to hope that a solution would be found to the US debt crisis. Talks between the Obama administration and Republicans are expected to continue today, with a deal possible before the end of the week. In London, shares in the UK’s postal service, Royal Mail, rose by 32% on their opening day of trading, triggering heavy volumes as investors cashed in their gains, spurring criticism that the government set the initial offering price for the shares too low. At 7am ET, the FTSE 100 was up 0.76%, the DAX was up 0.39%, and the CAC 40 was up 0.03%.

After yesterday’s jobless claims report showed an unexpected increase to 374,000, investors will be left in the dark today, as all of the day’s major economic reports — which cover retail sales and producer price inflation — are expected to be delayed by the government shutdown. The only report expected on-schedule today is October’s University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, which is due at 9.55am and is expected to have fallen to 75.0, from 77.5 in September.

Should you invest £1,000 in Boohoo Group right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Boohoo Group made the list?

See the 6 stocks

Things may get more interesting on the corporate front, as both J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo are expected to report their third-quarter earnings before the opening bell. Analysts’ consensus forecasts suggest that J.P. Morgan may report earnings of $1.19 per share, while Wells Fargo is expected to post earnings of $0.97 per share. Analysts are broadly bullish on both banks, and J.P. Morgan was up by 0.5% in pre-market trading this morning.

Other stocks that may be actively traded today include Safeway, which was up by 7.7% in pre-market trading this morning and could surge when markets open, after the firm said that it would exit the Chicago market, where it operates 72 Dominick’s stores, resulting in a cash tax benefit of $400m – $450m.

But there are other promising opportunities in the stock market right now. In fact, here are:

5 stocks for trying to build wealth after 50

The cost of living crisis shows no signs of slowing… the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine shows no sign of resolution, while the global economy could be teetering on the brink of recession.

Whether you’re a newbie investor or a seasoned pro, deciding which stocks to add to your shopping list can be a daunting prospect during such unprecedented times. Yet despite the stock market’s recent gains, we think many shares still trade at a discount to their true value.

Fortunately, The Motley Fool UK analyst team have short-listed five companies that they believe STILL boast significant long-term growth prospects despite the global upheaval…

We’re sharing the names in a special FREE investing report that you can download today. We believe these stocks could be a great fit for any well-diversified portfolio with the goal of building wealth in your 50’s.

Claim your free copy now

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

> Roland does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this article. 

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

2 FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 stocks to consider as stock markets plummet!

Looking for lifeboats as growth-crushing trade tariffs loom? Here are two (including a FTSE 100 gold stock) I think merit…

Read more »

Number three written on white chat bubble on blue background
Investing Articles

Just released: the 3 best growth-focused stocks to consider buying in April [PREMIUM PICKS]

Our goal here is to highlight some of our past recommendations that we think are of particular interest today, due…

Read more »

Happy young plus size woman sitting at kitchen table and watching tv series on tablet computer
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in Watches of Switzerland shares 1 year ago is now worth…

Watches of Switzerland shares have been decimated by Trump’s tariffs on Switzerland. Dr James Fox explores whether this is an…

Read more »

Hand flipping wooden cubes for change wording" Panic " to " Calm".
Investing Articles

Growth stocks are crashing! Here’s what I’m doing now

Our writer shares his thoughts as growth stocks get crushed, as well as a favourite from the Nasdaq that he…

Read more »

Investing Articles

What’s going on with the Nvidia share price now?

The Nvidia share price is tanking. Once the most valuable listed company, Nvidia has seen more than $1trn wiped off…

Read more »

Investing Articles

This FTSE AIM stock has £2.3bn in net cash, and a market cap of £2.4bn!

I love this FTSE AIM stock, but it really hasn’t delivered for me yet. The stock trades with crazily low…

Read more »

Smart young brown businesswoman working from home on a laptop
Investing Articles

Down 15% in a week! Are these 5 FTSE 100 fallers screaming buys as markets plunge?

Five of Harvey Jones's favourite FTSE 100 stocks all have the same thing in common – they've fallen around 15%…

Read more »

Hand of person putting wood cube block with word VALUE on wooden table
Investing Articles

2 stocks that have been crushed and now offer a ton of value

Edward Sheldon has been scanning the market for stocks that offer value after the sell-off. Here are two shares he…

Read more »