U.S. stock markets are set to open high on Thursday ahead of the biggest decline in several years in the labor market. Initial U.S. jobless claims fell more than expected, 41,000 to 220,000 for the week ended Jan. 13.
Shares of SPI Energy Co. Ltd. (SPI, Financial) traded almost 40% higher on premarket Thursday session on news that its SPI China subsidiary established a strategic partnership with Hoofoo Inc., the leading hack-proof cryptocurrency wallet for iOS and android phones. Under the agreement, Hoofoo will authorize SPI Energy to distribute Hoofoo's cryptocurrency wallet in Australia, Europe, the U.S. and China.
Gainers
• PPG Industries Inc. (PPG, Financial)
• Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ, Financial)
• Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD, Financial)
• Ralph Lauren Corp. (RL, Financial)
Losers
• Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI, Financial)”‹
• Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN, Financial)
• Hormel Foods Corp. (HRL, Financial)
Global markets
The main European stock markets traded mostly in the red. The U.K.'s FTSE lost 0.44%, France's CAC retreated 0.24% and Spain's Ibex slid 0.41%, but Germany's Dax gained 0.31%.
In Asia, Japan's Nikkei lost 0.44%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.43%, China´s SSE Composite jumped 0.87% and India’s BSE Sensex advanced0.51%.
Disclosure: The author holds no positions in any stocks mentioned.
