December S&P 500 futures (ESZ23) are down -0.18%, and December Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQZ23) are down -0.29% this morning as market participants geared up for a flurry of U.S. economic data while also awaiting speeches from Fed officials and an earnings report from footwear and sports apparel giant Nike.
In Wednesday’s trading session, Wall Street’s major averages ended mixed, with the blue-chip Dow dropping to a 3-1/2 month low. Nextera Energy Inc (NEE) plunged over -8% and was the top percentage loser on the benchmark S&P 500 after its affiliate NextEra Energy Partners cut its long-term growth outlook. Also, Zions Bancorporation (ZION) slid more than -2% after Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock to Underweight from Equal Weight. On the bullish side, energy stocks climbed as the price of WTI crude rose over +3% to a 13-month high. In addition, Paychex Inc (PAYX) gained more than +3% after the company reported upbeat Q1 results.
