Stock Futures Dip as More Jobs Data Rolls In

Stock futures are falling to wrap up the week, with Wall Street closed tomorrow in observance of Good Friday. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are pointed slightly below breakeven, though the benchmark is the only one of the major three pacing for a weekly win. S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite Index (NDX) futures are also lower.

Investors are also unpacking more jobs data today, with jobless claims showing an 18,000 decline last week -- a sign the labor market may be coming under pressure.

• Bulls praised this tech concern's expanded partnership.
• Get a preview of next week's earnings and economic data.
• Plus, Costco's comparable sales disappoint, and 2 earnings reports to unpack.

5 Things You Need to Know Today

1. The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) saw more than 1.1 million call contracts and 747,246 put contracts traded on Wednesday. The single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.66 and the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.78.
2. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) saw comparable sales for March fall 1.1% year-over-year, sending shares 3% lower in premarket trading. Gasoline prices and foreign exchange impacts contributed to these lackluster results. The security still sport an 8.9% year-to-date lead, though.
3. Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:STZ) is marginally higher before the bell, but still carries a 4.4% year-to-date deficit. The beverage concern reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings that beat analysts' estimates, while revenue of $2 billion was in line with expectations.
4. Levi Strauss & Co (NYSE:LEVI) also reported fourth-quarter results today, with the apparel retailer turning in earnings and revenue beat expectations. However, the company reaffirmed annual revenue and earnings forecasts as it remained cautions about the macro-environment. LEVI is down 4.3% in electronic trading, and 8.5% year-over-year.
5. There's no additional economic data slated for release today.

Asian Markets Mixed After China's PMI Data

Asian markets finished the day struggling for direction. China’s services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 57.8 in March, showing a continued expansion. The Shanghai Composite finished flat in response. Elsewhere, Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.2%, while the South Korean Kospi shed 1.4% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.3%.

Markets in Europe are higher to end the holiday-shortened week. London’s FTSE 100 is up 0.7%, while the French CAC 40 and German DAX are both up 0.3%. German industrial production increased by a higher-than-expected 2% in February.