Dow Futures Signal Positive Open as Jobless Claims Sink
U.S. import prices fell by the most in three years last month
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) futures are trading above fair value this morning, as markets look to extend this week's modestly bullish momentum. Today, attention shifts from U.S.-China trade relations to economic data ahead of next week's December Fed meeting. While weekly jobless claims closed in on a 49-year low-- falling 27,000 to a seasonally adjusted 206,000 -- U.S. import prices plunged 1.6% in November, marking their biggest decline in three years, due mostly to sinking oil prices and a strengthening dollar. Export prices, meanwhile, fell 0.9%, registering the largest drop in nearly two years.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
This weed stock rallied after a key Senate vote.2 tech stocks flashing short-term warning signs.Struggling Nvidia stock at risk for more bear notes.Plus, a major upgrade for General Electric; BofA-Merrill Lynch is buying P&G; and Ciena unveils a new buyback program. 
5 Things You Need to Know Today
The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 769,190 call contracts traded on Wednesday, compared to 475,230 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.62, and the 21-day moving average edged down to 0.70.J.P. Morgan Securities analyst Stephen Tusa upgraded General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) to "neutral" from "underweight," after maintaining that bearish rating for more than two years. Tusa also removed GE stock from his Analyst Focus List as a short idea, even as he maintained a low $6 price target. The former Dow name hit a nine-year low of $6.66 on Tuesday, and settled last night at $6.71 -- but GE is up 12.5% in electronic trading, aided by news its digital unit will unload a majority stake in ServiceMax for an undisclosed amount.BofA-Merrill Lynch raised its rating on Procter & Gamble Co (NYSE:PG) to "buy" from "neutral," and upped its price target to $108 from $95 -- a 14.8% premium to Wednesday's close at $94.03 -- saying the consumer products giant will likely carry positive momentum into the first quarter. PG stock is 0.9% higher in electronic trading, and could take out its Dec. 4 all-time peak of $94.86 in intraday action.Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN) reported a fiscal fourth-quarter adjusted profit of 53 cents per share on $899.4 million in revenue -- more than analysts were expecting. The networking equipment specialist also unveiled a $500 million share buyback program. CIEN stock is up 7.8% ahead of the bell, and is set to open near $34.60 per share.The Fed's balance sheet will be released today. Adobe Systems (ADBE) and Costco (COST) will report earnings.
Cooling Yen Boosts Tokyo Stocks
Asian equity benchmarks finished higher today, as investors reacted to a positive day for U.S. stocks. The Wall Street Journal report yesterday that indicated China was willing to increase access to foreign countries injected a jolt of optimism into global markets. China's Shanghai Composite finished up 1.2% as a result, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.3%. Over in Japan, the Nikkei gained 1% as the yen pulled back against the dollar. Lastly, South Korea's Kospi finished 0.6% higher.
In Europe, things are a bit more muted as Brexit drama drags on. London's FTSE 100 is down 0.1% at last check, after Prime Minister Theresa May survived a confidence vote in parliament yesterday. The European Central Bank (ECB) reiterated plans to wrap up its quantitative easing program, with attention now turned to ECB President Mario Draghi. Elsewhere, the French CAC 40 is marginally lower, while the German DAX is hanging on to a 0.2% lead.