By Oliver Gray
Investing.com - U.S. futures held steady in early APAC trade on Friday, following gains in the previous session that saw the S&P 500 close at fresh record highs as initial jobless claims eased slightly last week, touching a fresh pandemic-era low and signalling a continuing economic recovery as companies retained employees amid a labour shortage.
During the regular session on Thursday, the S&P 500 added 26.47 points or 0.6% to close at a new record of 4429.12, the Dow gained 271.56 points, or 0.78% to 35064.24 and the Nasdaq Composite also advanced 114.58 points or 0.78% to 14895.12, gaining for its fourth consecutive session.
Among stocks, Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc (NYSE:SPCE) lifted 5.61% in extended trade after reporting quarterly results, noting that it will reopen ticket sales. Beyond Meat Inc (NASDAQ:BYND) fell 4.55% after missing earnings estimates during the second quarter, while Dropbox Inc (NASDAQ:DBX) gained 3.39% after earnings came in above market expectations.
On the bond markets, U.S. 10-year Treasury yields were at 1.225%.
Investors are also looking ahead to nonfarm payrolls data due to be released later in the session, with expectations of 870,000 payrolls added in July, as America’s labour force gradually returns from its sharp pandemic-induced losses.