Stocks rebounded from earlier losses to finish narrowly mixed Thursday, with the S&P adding small gains to the New Year rally, ahead of a key government employment report. Stocks had been under pressure earlier in the session amid ongoing jitters over the European debt crisis and a decline in the euro to its lowest level since September 2010.
Futures slipped again Thursday even after a handful of encouraging data on the employment front as ongoing jitters over the euro zone's debt crisis kept investors from jumping in.
The Dow and S&P clawed back into positive territory at the close Wednesday, adding to the sharp rally from the previous session, but gains were limited over renewed fears over the euro zone debt crisis.
Futures pulled back Wednesday, after a strong start to the New Year, as investors turned their focus once again to the euro zone's debt concerns.
Wall Street stocks closed higher Friday as the S&P 500 rallied for a fourth straight day and turned positive for the year after a run of better-than-expected economic data.
U.S. stock index futures pared gains Friday after mixed data on U.S. durable goods orders and consumer spending.