US stocks are poised to open lower in Thursday's trading session as investors process the recent weekly initial jobless claims data, which rose unexpectedly. This week, initial jobless claims increased to 225,000 from 219,000 the previous week, exceeding analyst expectations of 222,000. In addition, market participants are now looking forward to the nonfarm payrolls report scheduled for release on Friday, which is anticipated to show an increase to 148,000 in September, up from 142,000 the prior month. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average are down 0.4%, while S&P 500 futures have decreased by 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures are moving 0.4% lower. In the commodities market, oil prices are surging higher, driven by escalating concerns over a potential all-out war in the Middle East.
Global benchmarks, including Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate crude, posted increases of 1.9% and 2.2%, respectively. Looking towards international markets, Japan's Nikkei index witnessed a nearly 2% increase, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 1.5%. China's Shanghai Composite Index saw a remarkable rise of over 8%.
In Europe's early afternoon session, the UK's FTSE 100 experienced a marginal decline, with Germany's DAX decreasing by 0.7%, and France's CAC 40 also down by 1%. In the realm of equities, shares of Elevai Labs ($ELAB) soared by 81% in Thursday's premarket session, following news that its Elevai Biosciences subsidiary has filed two patent applications for its lead candidate, EL-22, targeting muscle loss in obese patients.
Pineapple Energy ($PEGY) shares surged 43%, rebounding after an 8% loss on Wednesday. Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust (WHLR) stocks advanced by 25%, building on a staggering 99% gain seen in the previous session. Additionally, shares of Rezolve AI ($RZLV) rose 25%, buoyed by the announcement of a strategic partnership with Microsoft ($MSFT).
Meanwhile, MicroAlgo ($MLGO) shares climbed 15%, extending a 22% gain reported on Wednesday. Conversely, on the downside, shares of Kaixin ($KXIN) plummeted 24% after an astounding 172% surge in the prior session. ANI Pharmaceuticals ($ANIP) shares fell 20%, compounding a 3% loss on Wednesday. Fangdd Network Group (DUO) saw its stocks drop by 19%, giving back some of the previous session's 29% gain.
MicroCloud Hologram's ($HOLO) stock fell by 20%, adding to a 12% loss from the last trading day. Shares of Windtree Therapeutics ($WINT) also decreased by 15% after shedding 30% during Wednesday's trading session..