Russell 2000 futures look up
The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) futures are pointing higher and the small-cap index will likely open in positive territory.
Small-cap stocks are poised for a bullish opening following news that durable goods orders for December increased more than expected.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that orders for durable goods rose 5.2% in December. That’s more than the projected increase of 2.1% and above the revised growth of 0.5% in November. The data for November originally showed a decline of 0.1%.
The numbers also show that orders for nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft, a key measure of business equipment spending, added 4.4% after posting a decline of 0.2% in November.
Investors will be awaiting data on consumer confidence in December, to be released by the Conference Board at 10 a.m. ET.
The statistics will also be watched by the U.S. Federal Reserve, which kicks off a two-day policy meeting. An announcement will be made on Wednesday, with most observers expecting the Fed to lower its target interest rate.
Here are the biggest percentage gainers and losers in pre-market trading among companies with a market cap between $100 million and $750 million:
Biggest percentage gainers:
• TBS International Ltd. (TBSI), up 8%.
• Medivation, Inc. (MDVN), up 6% on Monday’s news that it plans to start a Phase III trial of an Alzheimer’s drug.
• Ness Technologies, Inc. (NSTC), up 5% on news it has signed a settlement deal in a long-running arbitration case.
Biggest percentage losers:
• LECG Corp. (XPRT), down 19% on news of a fourth-quarter net loss.
• ICU Medical, Inc. (ICUI), down 16% on news of a decline in fourth-quarter profit.
• NightHawk Radiology Holdings, Inc. (NHWK), down 13% despite news of a rise in preliminary year-end net income.
