stock futures rose Wednesday evening after a mixed session, with traders awaiting the next batch of earnings results and a slew of economic data Thursday morning.
Contracts on the Dow gained, after the index hit a record intraday high during Wednesday’s regular session. Contracts on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also rose to reverse earlier declines. Shares of Coinbase (COIN), the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the U.S., jumped more than 5% in late trading after closing below its opening trade price in a volatile first day on the public markets.
Traders are looking ahead to a key print on the strength of the U.S. consumer on Thursday, with the Commerce Department’s March retail sales report due for release. Consensus economists expect to see a 5.8% jump in monthly retail sales, with stimulus checks and easing social distancing standards helping fuel the biggest gain in retail sales since January. Meanwhile, a new print on weekly jobless claims will likely show a decline in the number of individuals filing for first-time unemployment benefits.
