Stocks Set To Open Higher As Big Banks Report Strong Earnings Results

Treasury Yields Stay Close To Recent Lows

S&P 500 futures are gaining some ground in premarket trading as Treasury yields remain close to recent lows. Yesterday, U.S. inflation reports indicated that inflation was rising a bit faster than analysts expected.

However, this increase is not sufficient enough to trigger any response from the Fed so Treasury yields declined after the release of inflation reports. Today, Treasury yields remain close to yesterday’s levels which is bullish for tech stocks which look ready to continue their upside move.

Big Banks Report Earnings

JPMorgan has recently released its quarterly results. The company reported revenue of $32.3 billion and earnings of $4.50 per share, beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo reports also exceeded analyst estimates.

Financial stocks had a strong start of the year as yields moved higher, and it looks that investors have made a right move by betting on the financial segment as results look strong.

Interestingly, shares of Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo are gaining some ground in premarket trading while JPMoran stock is down by about 0.5%, but the situation may change quickly when the regular trading session begins.

Oil Moves Higher As Iran Tensions Increase

WTI oil is currently trying to settle above the $61 level as the fate of renewed nuclear talks with Iran is under question. Recently, participants of the 2015 nuclear deal made an attempt to put Iran and U.S. back to the negotiation table, but the recent attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility increased tensions.

In response to the attack, Iran stated that it would enrich uranium up to 60% purity. It is not clear whether Iran has the technical capability to do so in the near term, but the move clearly raises stakes in the complicated game between U.S., Iran and other participants of the 2015 nuclear deal.

It should be noted that the recent API Crude Oil Stock Change report indicated that crude inventories decreased by 3.6 million barrels and provided additional support to the oil market. If today’s EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Reports confirms API numbers, oil may gain additional upside momentum.

For a look at all of today’s economic events, check out our economic calendar.