U.S. stock futures climbed modestly shortly before the opening bell Friday, tracking a global rally in a week that has delivered sizable gains for Wall Street.
Some gloomy news came after the close Thursday, as Alcoa Inc. slashed its outlook for China’s production of cars and heavy-duty trucks. Also, some euphoria after the release of minutes from the latest Federal Reserve policy meeting seemed to be dissipating.
As global markets pushed higher Friday, futures for the Dow industrials ESZ5, +0.02% rose 33 points, or 0.2%, to 16,997, shaking off mild losses from earlier. Those for the S&P 500 index YMZ5, +0.05% added 2.9 points, or 0.1%, to 2,009. Futures for the Nasdaq-100 index YMZ5, +0.05% rose about 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to 4,346.
Alcoa AA, -3.00% shares dipped 2.8% in premarket trade after the aluminum producer said it now expects 2015 automotive production growth in China to be in the range of 1% to 2%, down from a previous outlook of 5% to 8% growth. Alcoa’s results are considered the unofficial kickoff of earnings season.
