What you need to know before the US open
US stocks futures suggest a lower open for markets, following Amazon and Ford falling in pre-market trading, on the back of their quarterly earnings reports.
More optimistic numbers from Microsoft failed to outweigh the slightly more negative sentiment, which has been reinforced by escalating tensions in Ukraine.
Corporate news
Nokia has confirmed its delayed deal with Microsoft that’ll see it sell most of its Devices and Services business to Microsoft has now been completed.
Ford has reported a 39 per cent plunge in first quarter profit to $989m, with higher costs in the US and foreign exchange headwinds in South America impacting business.
State Street, the second-largest custody bank in the world, has posted a 22 per cent fall in first-quarter profits, following recent job cuts upping expenses.
Data in focus
• 2.45pm: US April Markit services PMI
• 2.55pm: US April Reuters/Michigan consumer sentiment index