Toplines Before US Market Open on Thursday

U.S. stock index futures were muted on Thursday ahead of jobless claims data and fresh inflation figures that are expected to give more cues on the Federal Reserve's tightening policy, while Delta Air Lines led gains among carriers on strong earnings.

At 8:00 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were up 53 points, or 0.15%, S&P 500 E-minis were up 4 points, or 0.08% and Nasdaq 100 E-minis were up 16.75 points, or 0.11%.

The producer price index (PPI) for final demand is expected to rise 0.4% in December, compared with a 0.8% increase in November. In the 12 months through December, the PPI likely accelerated 9.8% after shooting up 9.6% in November.

Delta Air Lines gained 2.2% in premarket trading after beating estimates for fourth-quarter earnings and said it has recovered nearly 80% of its 2019 pre-pandemic level revenue.

More U.S. companies will report results on the final quarter of 2021 in the coming weeks, with year-over-year earnings growth from S&P 500 companies expected to be at 22.4%, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Stocks making the biggest moves in the premarket:

Delta Air Lines – Delta shares rose 2.2% in the premarket after the airline beat top and bottom-line estimates for the fourth quarter. Delta earned an adjusted 22 cents per share, 8 cents above estimates, and said it expected a strong spring and summer travel season.

Boeing – Boeing’s 737 MAX jet could resume service in China as soon as this month, according to a Bloomberg report. Boeing added 2.6% in the premarket.

Moderna – Moderna expects to report data by March from its Covid-19 vaccine trials involving children aged 2 to 5 years old. If the data is supportive, the company will file for approval to vaccinate that age group. Moderna fell 1.1% in premarket action.

Virgin Orbit – Later today, Virgin is scheduled to launch its first commercial satellite since going public. Its stock added 2.1% in the premarket after falling 5.8% in Wednesday trading.

Taiwan Semiconductor – Taiwan Semiconductor reported record quarterly profit, with the chipmaker beating analyst forecasts while also issuing an upbeat outlook amid surging demand for semiconductors. The stock rallied 3.8% in the premarket.

KB Home – KB Home reported quarterly earnings of $1.91 per share, 14 cents above estimates, although the home builder’s revenue was slightly below analyst forecasts. KB Home also issued a positive outlook for 2022, and its stock surged 7.7% in premarket trading.

Lennar – Lennar increased its dividend by 50%, raising its annual payout to $1.50 per share from $1.00. The home builder’s next quarterly dividend of 37.5 cents per share will be paid on February 10 to shareholders of record as of January 27. The stock added 2.4% in the premarket.

SolarEdge Technologies, Enphase Energy – SolarEdge gained 2.3% in premarket trading while Enphase rallied 3.2% after both alternative energy companies were upgraded to “buy” from “neutral” at Guggenheim. The firm said the potential negatives it highlighted last year – such as high valuations and optimistic forecasts – had largely dissipated.

Sunrun – The solar equipment company added 2.1% in the premarket after being named a top 2022 stock pick at Morgan Stanley, which said Sunrun is among companies with strong barriers to entry and little growth priced in.

Match Group,Bumble – Goldman Sachs upgraded the dating service operators to “buy” from “neutral,” saying both would benefit from “structural industry tailwinds” in the years ahead. Match rose 3.2% in premarket trading and Bumble gained 3.1%.