Stock Futures Rise on Debt Ceiling Progress, Jobs Data

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) are up 291 points at last glance, looking to extend yesterday's gains, while Nasdaq-100 (NDX) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) futures are poised to do the same. News that Congress was nearing a temporary deal that would raise the debt limit is injecting positive sentiment into the market. Plus, initial jobless claims for last week came in a 326,000, below Wall Street's anticipated estimate of 345,000 and a sharp drop from the previous week's 364,000 tally. 

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

• This chip stock is one of the top stock's to own in October. 
• Reasons to pay attention to AutoZone stock.  
• Plus, SQ a "must-own"; Levi Strauss' top-line beat; and AZPN surges on merger talks. 

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw more than 1.3 million call contracts traded on Wednesday, compared to 670,051 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.48, and the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.50.
2. Jefferies assumed coverage on Square Inc (NYSE:SQ) with a "buy" from "hold," and a price-target hike to $300 from $265. The firm called the stock a “must-own” over the long term “as a proven innovator.” Ahead of the bell, Square stock is up 2.9%. 
3. Levi Strauss & Co (NYSE:LEVI) is up 4.4% in electronic trading, after the denim company reported better-than-expected third-quarter profits of 48 cents per share, as well as revenue above estimates. Year-to-date, Levi Strauss stock is up 20.7%. 
4. Aspen Technology Inc (NASDAQ:AZPN) is shooting higher pre-market, up 11.9%, after news that it is in talks to merge its software assets with Emerson Electric (EMR). The stock would still keep its own public listing, though EMR would gain majority control of the combined company. 
5. Today will bring the consumer credit report. 

Hong Kong Leads Resurgent Tech Sector

Markets in Asia closed higher today, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng marking the biggest jump, climbing 3.1% on the heels of a rising tech sector. This surge also comes after Chinese Estates, formerly a major shareholder of China Evergrande Group, landed an offer to become private Wednesday, sending the equity more than 30% higher in Thursday’s session. Also enjoying gains was China’s Shanghai Composite and South Korea’s Kospi, which rose 0.9% and 1.8%, respectively. Japan’s Nikkei also marked a respectable 0.5% gain.

European stocks are also enjoying gains this afternoon, climbing on the back of a retreating U.S. 10-year Treasury yield. London’s FTSE 100 is up 1% at midday, while Germany’s DAX tacks on 1.4%, despite industrial output data dropping a more than anticipated 4% in August, for the region. Lastly, France’s CAC 40 is up 1.5% at last check.