US STOCKS-Futures inch higher ahead of jobs report
U.S. stock index futures were slightly higher on Friday ahead of the key monthly jobs report for November.
The U.S. government's closely watched monthly report on non-farm payrolls is expected at 8:30 a.m. EST [1330 GMT]. Analysts polled by Reuters projected that U.S. payrolls likely shrank by 130,000 in November, compared with a decline of 190,000 in October.
If it came in as a major, major bad number that would almost be a good thing because it would be a cold slap in the face to the policy leaders that maybe we aren't doing the right thing here, said Joe Gordon, managing partner at Gordon Asset Management in Durham, North Carolina.
If it comes in a little better or a little worse, it's a non-event, it's the same old tune, less worse than it has been.
Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) sold more than $19 billion in equity on Thursday amid strong investor interest as it raced to shed government regulatory curbs that have stymied its chief executive search. Shares fell 2.7 percent to $15.34 in premarket trade.
S&P 500 futures SPc1 rose 2 points and were slightly above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures DJc1 gained 25 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures NDc1 added 1.75 points.
U.S. monthly factory orders are also expected Friday.
Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O) said it has control over 90 percent of Norwegian target Tandberg (TAA.OL), allowing it to squeeze out remaining shareholders, and create the world's leader in videoconferencing equipment.
U.S. video game publisher Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (TTWO.O) warned it would post a loss this year, blaming release delays, high development costs and low baseball game sales.
Take-Two shares dropped 22.7 percent to $8.44 premarket.
Big Lots Inc (BIG.N) jumped 8.3 percent to $25.50 premarket after the closeouts retailer posted better-than-expected quarterly profit and boosted its outlook for the holiday period.
Investors may eye technology shares after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (2330.TW)(TSM.N), the world's biggest contract chipmaker, said it will allocate much more money to capital spending next year, when it expects a faster 9 percent growth in global chip sales.
World stocks slipped, as European shares fell in early trade, with banks among the biggest losers. Japan's Nikkei stock average .N225 ended up 0.4 percent, and closed above 10,000 for the first time in five weeks.
U.S. stocks fell Thursday after the U.S. services sector shrank unexpectedly in November and investors worried that the non-farm payrolls report may show the recovery is sluggish.
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