U.S. Market Futures Lower with Healthcare Sector Down

U.S. stock futures are lower in pre-market trading for Thursday, August 25. The Dow Futures are at 18431.0 for a loss of -41.00 points. The S&P 500 Futures are lower at 2170.0 for a loss of -5.00 points. The Nasdaq Futures are lower at 4774.75 for a loss of -11.50 points. The Russell Futures are lower at 1233.0 for a loss of -2.90 points.

In overnight trading in the Eastern Hemisphere, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is at 16555.95 for a loss of -41.35 points or -0.25 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is at 22826.87 for a gain of 6.09 points or 0.03 percent. China’s Shanghai Composite is at 3068.33 for a loss of -17.55 points or -0.57 percent. India’s S&P BSE Sensex is at 27835.91 for a loss of -224.03 or -0.80 percent. In Europe, the FTSE 100 is at 6813.87 for a loss of -21.91 points or -0.32 percent. Germany’s DAX is at 10509.44 for a loss of -113.53 points or -1.07 percent. France’s CAC 40 is at 4391.82 for a loss of -43.65 points or -0.98 percent. The Stoxx Europe 600 is at 341.53 for a loss of -3.40 points or -0.99 percent.

Thursday’s Factors and Events

U.S. stock futures are pointing lower for continued losses as healthcare sector drug pricing remains in question. On Wednesday, healthcare drug manufacturer, Mylan fell 5.41% after closer scrutiny on the pricing of its EpiPen.

The Monetary Policy Symposium in Jackson Hole begins on Thursday. Investors will be watching economic speeches and looking ahead to Janet Yellen’s speech on Friday titled “Designing Resilient Monetary Policy Frameworks for the Future.”

Economic reports on the calendar for Thursday include Durable Goods Orders, Jobless Claims, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index, the Fed Balance Sheet and the Money Supply.

Approximately 30 companies will report earnings on Thursday. Stocks trading actively in the pre-market include:

Wynn Resorts Ltd

Chesapeake Energy

Advance Auto Parts

Signet Jewelers Ltd

The Kroger Co

Praxair Inc

eBay Inc

Wednesday’s Activity

 On Wednesday, U.S. stocks were mostly lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 18481.48 for a loss of -65.82 points or -0.35 percent. The S&P 500 was also lower, closing at 2175.44 for a loss of -11.46 points or -0.52 percent. The Nasdaq Composite closed lower at 5217.69 for a loss of -42.38 points or -0.81 percent.

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Source: DJIA, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite. Google Finance.

Other notable index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index, lower at 1237.25 for a loss of -11.33 points or -0.91 percent; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index, lower at 751.55 for a loss of -4.59 points or -0.61 percent; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index at 1560.90 for a loss of -10.36 points or -0.66 percent; the S&P 100 Index at 961.46 for a loss of -3.93 points or -0.41 percent; the Russell 3000 Index at 1286.31 for a loss of -7.51 points or -0.58 percent; the Russell 1000 Index at 1205.12 for a loss of -6.71 points or -0.55 percent; and the Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index at 617.89 for a loss of -2.70 points or -0.44 percent.