Dow industrials, U.S. economy, Groupon in focus

Premarket news

Wall Street is pointing gently higher on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average starting the day less than 100 points from its record level. The U.S. economy ticked higher in the fourth quarter. Europe markets benefitted from defenses of loose monetary policy from both Fed chief Bernanke and ECB chief Draghi. Groupon shares are lower in the premarket after the daily-deals site�s earnings missed expectations.

Indications: Stock futures cautiously higher ahead of GDP

U.S. stock futures inch up Thursday after a blockbuster session a day earlier. The Dow Industrials begin the day less than 100 points from their record level. Read Indications

U.S. economy grew 0.1% in fourth quarter

New U.S. jobless claims drop 22,000 to 344,000

Danger as stock-market �Greedometer� flashes red

Europe Markets: Europe stocks gain on Bernanke, Draghi comments

European stock markets rose for a second day on Thursday, after central bankers Ben Bernanke, head of the U.S. Federal Reserve and Mario Draghi, head of the European Central Bank, both defended their loose monetary policies. Read Europe Markets

London Markets: FTSE 100 rises for second day; RBS drops

U.K.�s benchmark stock index on Thursday is on track for a second day of gains , boosted by banks and the rise and some upbeat corporate earnings. Read London Markets

Asia Markets: Japan, China stocks jump; India slides on budget

Major Asian stock benchmarks jump 2% or more to end February on a buoyant note, as eased worries over Italy and the U.S. Federal Reserve�s commitment to monetary stimulus boost investor sentiment. Indian shares retreat after the finance minister proposes an increase in taxes on wealthy individuals. Read Asia Markets

Currencies: Yen weakens against dollar, as Aussie jumps

The yen weakens as risk appetite saw a broad improvement in the wake of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke�s testimony, while the Australian dollar rallied on better-than-expected data on capital spending. Read the forex report

Futures Movers: Oil ticks higher as dollar ebbs

Oil futures extend their slow creep higher after taking losses earlier in the week, helped by an easing dollar, though some analysts see continued weakness ahead. Read the energy roundup

Metals Stocks: Gold futures back on the cusp of $1,600

Gold futures edge back toward the key $1,600 mark in Asia, with the official nomination of Haruhiko Kuroda to the post of governor at the Bank of Japan feeding dovish monetary-policy hopes. Read metals

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