What you need to know before the US open
Futures suggest a slightly higher open for US markets, following more optimistic export figures for March.
Exports gained two per cent last month – from $190bn in February to $193.9bn – suggesting the slide seen in the first two months of the year tailed off.
There’s little else in the way of data today, though, with analysts waiting for more to move us on from the harsh weather-induced slowdown and tomorrow’s testimony from Fed chair Janet Yellen.
Corporate news
Astrazeneca has, amid Pfizers $106bn takeover bid, said its revenues will rise 75 per cent over the next decade, but after a short-term drop. The company also thinks new medicines will hike annual sales above $45nm by 2023.
Fertiliser producer Mosaic took a hit in the first quarter, missing expectations because of the effect the Russia-Ukraine situation had on the price of potash. It’s expecting a better second half, though.
US satellite TV company DirecTV saw a slowdown in new subscribers in the first quarter, from a year earlier.
And Office Depot has risen in pre-market trading after announcing plans to close 400 stores, to boost earnings.
Data in focus
• 10.30pm: US Fed’s Stein speech
• EU economic and financial affairs meeting