By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stock futures pointed to another
struggle for Wall Street on Friday, as investors remained on the
sidelines ahead of U.S. PMI data and what looks like a last-chance
meeting for Greece.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJH5) added 13
points to 17,972, while those for the S&P 500 index (SPH5)
added 0.1 point to 2,093.50. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index
(NDH5) inched 3.5 points higher to 4,416.75.
The small moves mirrored the trading session on Thursday
(http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid), when the Dow
average (DJI) and S&P 500 index (SPX) ended slightly lower,
while the Nasdaq ended on a positive note for a seventh straight
session.
Key decision on Greece: The debt standoff between Greece and its
eurozone partners has grabbed most investors' attention this week,
but so far hasn't created a major shake-up in the financial
markets. Both the S&P and Nasdaq were on track for weekly
gains, while the European indexes eyed advances for the most part.
The lack of market response is partly because the risk of contagion
is much lower
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-the-eurozone-risk-investors-are-ignoring-2015-02-19)
than in 2011 and 2012, MarketWatch's William Watts explains.
Eurozone finance ministers are scheduled to meet in Brussels at
3 p.m. local time, or 9 a.m. Eastern Time, to discuss the latest
proposal from Greece on extending its loan agreement. The request
was submitted on Thursday, but rebuffed shortly after that by
Germany
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cracks-still-evident-as-germany-rebuffs-greek-extension-plan-2015-02-19),
which said it wasn't a "substantial proposal for a solution".
European markets were mixed ahead of Friday's Eurogroup meeting
(http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid), with Greece's
Athex Composite index up 0.8% to 863.68.
Data: There's only one major data point to monitor on Friday --
the flash purchasing managers index for February that comes out at
9:45 a.m. Eastern Time. The final January reading came in at 53.9,
above the 50 level that separates expansion from contraction.
PMIs out of the eurozone showed business activity in the
currency union grew
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-economy-shows-signs-of-revival-2015-02-20)
at a faster pace in February than expected, to reach a seven-month
high.
Earnings: Tractor manufacturer Deere & Co.(DE) fell 1.3% in
premarket after a lowered outlook offset a profit beat.
Health-care diagnostics company Laboratory Corp. of America
Holdings, or LabCorp, (LH) reported fourth-quarter earnings
slightly ahead of estimates, although it wasn't enough to move the
share price
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.(COG) is expected to post
fourth-quarter earnings of 22 cents a share.
Movers and shakers:Noodles & Co.(NDLS) tanked 26% in
premarket trade after the restaurant chain late Thursday reported
fourth-quarter earnings that fell short of estimates
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/noodles-stock-plunges-after-results-outlook-disappoint-2015-02-19).
Marvell Technology Group Ltd.(MRVL) was down 1.2% ahead of the
bell on Friday after the company, which specializes in
microprocessor architecture and digital-signal processing, said
fourth-quarter revenue and profit declined
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/marvell-technology-profit-falls-outlook-soft-2015-02-19).
Retailer Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) could also be active Friday after
it reported weaker-than-forecast earnings late Thursday.
Other markets: Oil (CLH5) seesawed on Friday, but was still
looking at its first weekly loss in a month
(http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid).
Gold prices (GCJ5) were slightly higher, while the dollar (DXY)
traded mixed against other major currencies.
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