U.S. stock futures higher  in pre-market trading for , February 14. The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 7,043.12 up with +0.38% percent or +26.87 point.The Dow Futures is trading at 25,582.00 up with +0.37% percent or +94.00 point. The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 2,757.38 up with +0.29% percent or +8.38 point.

In overnight trading in the Eastern Hemisphere, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 21,139.71 with a loss of –0.023% percent or –4.77 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 28,404.80   with a loss of –0.33% percent or –92.79 point. China’s Shanghai Composite is trading at 2,719.70  with a loss of –0.050% percent or –1.37 point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at 35,865.46 with a loss of –0.47% percent or –168.65 point at 12:15 PM.The FTSE 100 is trading at 7,212.95 up with  +0.31% percent or +22.11 point. Germany’s DAX is trading at 11,211.24 up with +0.39% percent or ++44.02 point. France’s CAC 40 is trading at 5,113.59 up with +0.78% percent or +39.33 point. The Stoxx Europe 600 is trading at 366.75 up with +0.48% percent or +1.77 point.

Thursday’s Factors and Events

There is a strong focus on trade as China and the U.S. continue talks. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that talks were “going very well” as both sides look to reach an agreement before early March.

Furthermore, bond traders are likely to follow a speech by Philly Fed President Patrick Harker in New York City at 11 a.m. ET.

On the data front, retail sales are expected at 8.30 a.m. ET with jobless claims and core PPI due at the same time.

wednesday’s Activity

In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 21,139.71 with a loss of –0.023% percent or –4.77 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 28,432.05  with a loss of  –0.23% percent or –65.54 point. China’s Shanghai Composite is trading at 2,719.70  with a loss of -0.050% percent or –1.37 point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at 35,876.22 with a loss of –0.44% percent or –157.89 point at 12:15 PM.