Stock Futures Higher as Traders Eye Davos, GDP Data

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."

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• This dollar fund is headed toward its worst weekly losing streak in years.
• The options strategy to profit from big moves, regardless of direction.
• Breaking down a big Boeing options win.
• Plus, another sinking retailer; AstraZeneca scores a big drug win; and Bill Ackman's new blue-chip stake.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.2 million call contracts traded on Thursday compared to 648,083 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.56, while the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.55.
2. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) stock is down 5% before the bell, after the coffee concern reported fiscal first-quarter revenue that fell short of analyst expectations. In addition, same-store sales growth was slower than anticipated, fueled by lackluster results from the company's holiday drinks. Prior to today, Starbucks stock had tacked on 10% in the past three months, but is now in danger of falling below its formerly supportive 50-day moving average.
3. AstraZeneca plc (NYSE:AZN) stock is pointed higher this morning, up 1.3% in electronic trading. The drug company touted its new inhaler, which improved lung function in a late-stage trial of COPD patients. AZN stock has tacked on 32% year-over-year, and touched a three-year high of $36.50 yesterday.
4. Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman said his Pershing Square took a passive stake in Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) last year. As a result, NKE stock is up 1% ahead of the bell. The athletic retailer has added nearly 26% year-over-year, and also touched a record high of $68.64 yesterday.
5. Durable goods orders will hit the Street, while AbbVie (ABBV), Colgate-Palmolive (CL), and Honeywell (HON) will round out the week's quarterly results. Looking ahead to next week, several FAANG stocks will react to earnings.

European Markets Higher on U.K. GDP

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.