Stock Index Futures Muted With U.S. Retail Sales Data in Focus

Economic Data and Forecasts - U.S. Retail Sales are expected to increase by +0.4% month-over-month in December, following a +0.6% increase in November [1] - U.S. Core Retail Sales rose +0.5% month-over-month in November, with economists predicting a +0.3% increase for December [4] - The U.S. Employment Cost Index is anticipated to remain at +0.8% quarter-over-quarter for Q4, consistent with Q3 [5] - Import and Export Price Indexes are expected to rise by +0.1% month-over-month in December, down from +0.4% and +0.5% respectively in the previous month [5] Stock Market Performance - Wall Street's main stock indexes ended positively, with Microsoft rising over +3% and Meta Platforms gaining more than +2% [3] - Chip stocks like Broadcom and Advanced Micro Devices also saw gains of more than +3% [3] - AppLovin surged over +13% after the withdrawal of allegations against it, while Kyndryl Holdings fell more than -54% due to disappointing FQ3 results and CFO exit [3] Corporate Earnings - Notable companies reporting quarterly figures include Coca-Cola, Gilead Sciences, CVS Health, and Ford, with S&P 500 companies expected to see an average +8.4% increase in Q4 earnings year-over-year [7] - In the bond market, the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note is at 4.180%, down -0.33% [7] International Market Updates - The Euro Stoxx 50 Index is up +0.03%, with chemical stocks leading gains after a positive sector assessment by Goldman Sachs [8] - Kering's stock jumped over +12% following improved Q4 sales trends [8] - Asian markets closed positively, with China's Shanghai Composite Index up +0.13% and Japan's Nikkei 225 up +2.28% [9] Pre-Market Stock Movements - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. shares rose over +2% in pre-market trading due to strong January revenue growth [12] - Credo Technology surged more than +16% after raising its FQ3 revenue guidance [12] - Palantir Technologies rose over +2% after an upgrade to Buy from Daiwa [13]