Stock futures are pointed higher this morning, setting the major market indexes up to secure their fourth straight weekly win. Intel (INTC) stock is lifting Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures, thanks to a well-received earnings report. Investors are also digesting the advance reading on fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP), which showed economic growth of 2.6% -- smaller than the 3% growth expected by economists. Markets are also keeping an eye on the World Economic Forum in Davos, where President Trump doubled down on his stance on the U.S. dollar, and said that "when the United States grows, so does the world."
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It was a mixed session for stocks in Asia, as investors kept their eye on the weakening dollar. The big story was the move from Hong Kong's Hang Seng, which was by far the best performing index in the region, closing up 1.5%. Bank stocks were the primary reason behind the outsized moved, carrying the Hang Seng to fresh record highs. Elsewhere, the Shanghai Composite also grabbed a win, ending up 0.3%, while the Kospi added 0.5% in South Korea. But shares of Japan-listed companies struggled, especially major tech names, pushing the Nikkei down 0.2%.
European benchmarks, meanwhile, are mostly higher at midday. Traders are digesting a speech from U.S. President Donald Trump, who just took the podium at the economic forum in Davos. Earnings are also in focus once again, as well as economic data out of the U.K. Specifically, GDP for the fourth quarter was better than expected for the region, helping the FTSE 100 rise 0.5% so far. The German DAX is also higher, last seen up 0.2%, though the French CAC 40 is leading the way, sporting a 1% lead.