U.S. stock higher in pre-market trading for,Dec 24.The Nasdaq Futures is trading at 12,669.20 up with +0.14% percent or +18.00 point.The Dow Futures is trading at 30,115.00 up with +0.27% percent or +81.00 point.The S&P 500 Futures is trading at 3,691.12 up with +0.26%percent or +9.62 point.

Thursday’s Factors and Events

A senior Democratic aide told CNBC that House Democrats will attempt to pass a standalone bill for $2,000 direct payments on Thursday, though it is unclear whether this would pass a Republican-led Senate, or even receive the unanimous consent necessary in the House.

Lawmakers calling for a vote on this standalone measure have not specified whether this would be in addition to the $600 second stimulus check, or would instead replace it.

Wednesday Activity

The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 12,771.11 with a loss of – percent or  -36.80 point.the Dow is trading at 30,129.831 up with +percent or +114.32 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 3,690.01 with + percent or +2.75 point.

Other leading market index closes included the small-cap Russell 2000 Index closed at 2,007.10 up with +0.87% percent or +17.22 point; the S&P 600 Small-Cap Index closed at 1,121.74 up with + percent or +12.29 point; the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index closed at 2,311.89 up with + percent or +19.70 point; the S&P 100 Index closed at 1,689.30 up with + percent or  +0.20 point; the Russell 3000 Index closed at 2,222.65 up with +percent or +2.28 point; the Russell 1000 Index closed at 2,092.47 up with +or +1.02 point.