U.S. stock index futures were higher Tuesday following upbeat economic data from Germany and ahead of the the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting.
The Fed kicks off its two-day policy meeting and economists expect the central bank to announce a new round of Treasury securities purchases when the meeting ends on Wednesday. The program would replace its "Operation Twist" stimulus which expires at the end of the year.
Stocks ended slightly higher across the board in narrow trading Monday, with the Dow logging a four-day rally, but gains were limited as investors remained reluctant to jump in amid ongoing "fiscal cliff" negotiations.
U.S. stock market futures turned narrowly mixed Monday despite fresh worries over Italy and ongoing negotiations over the looming "fiscal cliff."
Over the weekend, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti announced he will resign after Italy's 2013 budget is approved. Monti's announcement came shortly after the party of former Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, withdrew its support for Monti's technocratic government.
European shares traded lower following the announcement and amid worries over its effect on the euro zone's third-largest economy.
The Dow and S&P 500 closed higher for the day and week following an upbeat government jobs report and amid ongoing "fiscal cliff" negotiations, while the Nasdaq finished in the red, dragged by Apple's sharp decline.
Apple slumped more than 2 percent, forming a "death cross," with the 50-day moving average falling below the 200 day moving average. Technicians usually see the sign as a cue to sell.
The tech giant's stock is on pace to logging its worst week since May 2010. Still, shares are up more than 30 percent for the year. (Read More: Apple May Fall Another 20% on 'Panic Selling')
U.S. stock market futuresquickly reversed their losses to turn higher Friday following a better-than-expected non-farm payrolls report.
The monthly non-farm payrolls rose by 146,000, with the unemployment falling sharply to 7.7 in November, according to the Labor Department. The report blew past expectations for a gain of 93,000 and unemployment rate holding steady at 7.9 percent, according to a Reuters poll.
The Labor Department said the storm's effects might be more accurately gauged in next months' report. Meanwhile, participation rate fell to 63.6 percent, falling further from 30-year lows. And October's employment gains were also lowered through revisions. The U.S. added 171,000 jobs in October.
Stocks posted a modest gain in thin, volatile trading Thursday ahead of the monthly government jobs report at the end of the week, while worries over the looming "fiscal cliff" continued to linger.
U.S. stock index futures dipped into negative territory Thursday, despite a better-than-expected jobless claims report, as worries over the "fiscal cliff" lingered.
On the economic front, jobless claims fell 25,000 to a seasonally adjusted 370,000, according to the Labor Department. Economists had expected a reading of 380,000 compared with 393,000 in the prior week.
The Dow and S&P came off their highs in the final minutes of trading but still finished higher Wednesday, boosted by a batch of upbeat economic reports and optimistic comments from China's new leader, while Apple's sharp drop pushed the Nasdaq into negative territory.
Apple tumbled more than 6 percent, logging its worst one-day decline in four years, following news that the company's margin requirements were being raised to 60 percent from 30 percent by COR Clearing. (Read More: Pisani--What's Up with Apple?)
The tech giant is down more than 20 percent from its record high of $705 in September. Apple's chart is close to forming a 'death cross'--where the stock's 50-day moving average falls below the 200-day moving average. Technicians usually see the sign as a cue to sell.
U.S. stock index futures were off their best levels Wednesday, but optimistic comments from China's new leader helped limit losses.
Citigroup gained after the financial giant announced it will cut 11,000 jobs as part of restructuring actions in an aim to further lower expenses and improve efficiency. Additionally, the bank said its fourth quarter pre-tax charges will total approximately $1 billion and projected annual expense savings will exceed $1.1 billion starting in 2014.
