Dow Futures Edge Lower Ahead of Economic Data

LONDON -- Stock index futures at 7 a.m. EDT indicate that both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 may open about 0.1% lower this morning. After finishing yesterday at 22, or "extreme fear," CNN's Fear & Greed Index has risen to 27.

European markets are broadly flat this morning after a volatile week. As of 7 a.m. EDT, the FTSE 100 is down a negligible three points, Germany's DAX is up 0.53%, and France's CAC 40 is up 0.35%. New figures showed that employment levels across the eurozone fell by 0.5% during the first quarter of this year, while inflation across the eurozone rose by 1.4% on a year-on-year basis, in line with expectations.

Today sees a raft of U.S. economic data published, which may impact market sentiment during the day. First up, at 8:30 a.m. EDT, May's producer price index is expected to show that prices rose by 0.1% in May after falling by 0.7% in April, while core PPI is expected to have risen by 0.1% in May after rising 0.1% in April. At 9:15 a.m. EDT, industrial output is expected to have risen by 0.1% in May after falling 0.5% in April, while capacity utilization is expected to remain unchanged at 77.8%. Finally, at 9:55 a.m. EDT, the latest University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is expected to show a rise to 84.7 in June from 84.5 in May.

Corporate earnings are thin today, but Smithfield Foods, which agreed a sale to Chinese meat-producer Shuanghui International in May, is due to release its latest quarterly results before markets open. NGL Energy Partners also released results before the opening bell, reporting net income of $48.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2013. Magnum Hunter Resources also reported year-end figures, unveiling a 138% increase in revenue to $271 million and a 139% increase in production to 13,152 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2012.

Other stocks that could see active trading this morning include Groupon, which is up 5.4% in premarket trading this morning after analysts at Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to "buy." Smith & Wesson Holding is also rising strongly, up 4.1% in premarket trading on news that the firm expects net sales to increase by 38% during its fiscal fourth quarter.

Finally, let's not forget that the Dow's daily movements can add up to serious long-term gains. Indeed, Warren Buffett recently wrote, "The Dow advanced from 66 to 11,497 in the 20th Century, a staggering 17,320% increase that materialized despite four costly wars, a Great Depression and many recessions." If you, like Buffett, are convinced of the long-term power of the Dow, you should read "5 Stocks To Retire On." Your long-term wealth could be transformed, even in this uncertain economy. Simply click here now to download this free, no-obligation report.

The article Dow Futures Edge Lower Ahead of Economic Data originally appeared on Fool.com.

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