Asian stocks closed mixed Thursday on weak Chinese manufacturing data, while European shares rose and U.S. futures pointed to a higher open on hope that a U.S. durables goods report for April will indicate robust growth.
Traders also eyed a weekly jobless report for signs that the world's biggest economy will be able to withstand the increasing likelihood that the 17-member euro zone may soon become the 16-member euro zone.
There are opportunities in the stock market, Bernard Delattre, president of Altimeo Asset Management in Paris, told Bloomberg News. When everyone is scared, it's time to go out there. It's a favorable time when we look at valuations.
