MARKET SNAPSHOT: Dow Poised For Shaky Open On 30th Anniversary Of 1987 Crash

Some jitters after Spain signals move to strip Catalonia of independence

U.S. stock benchmarks on Thursday looked set to stumble after posting a trio of all-time highs and closing above the psychologically important level of 23,000 for the Dow. Political tensions in Europe, lackluster economic reports out of China and the anniversary of the markets' worst percentage drop in history were cited as some of the reasons for uneasiness.

What are stock-index futures doing?

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures traded 103 points, or 0.5%, lower at 23,011, but off its lows of the session. Meanwhile, S&P 500 futures dropped 11.85 points, or 0.5%, to 2,548.25. Nasdaq-100 futures , were down more firmly, off 41.75 points, or 0.7%, to 6,077.50.

All three benchmarks closed at records on Wednesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dow-industrials-on-track-to-stay-around-23000-milestone-2017-10-18). The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 160.16 points, or 0.7%, to 23,157.60, finishing above the 23,000 level for the first time. The S&P 500 index rose 1.9 points, or 0.1%, to 2,561.26, and the Nasdaq Composite edged up 0.56 point to 6,624.22.

See:Dow 23,000 marks fresh history for blue chips (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dow-23000-marks-fresh-history-for-blue-chips-2017-10-17)

And check out:Dow's historic close above 23,000 belies a flicker of weakness (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dows-historic-close-above-23000-belies-a-flicker-of-weakness-2017-10-18)

(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dow-23000-marks-fresh-history-for-blue-chips-2017-10-17)What could drive markets?

Catalonia's president, Carles Puigdemont, failed to meet a demand to give up the region's push for independence. The Madrid government responded by suggesting it will trigger the process for imposing central control (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/spain-to-trigger-direct-rule-of-catalonia-as-standoff-continues-2017-10-19) when it holds a special cabinet meeting on Saturday. A suspension of autonomy in Catalonia could potentially spur fresh protests and instability for one of the eurozone's biggest members.

As well, futures appeared rattled Thursday by news that growth in China slowed in the third quarter (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-gdp-growth-slows-in-third-quarter-2017-10-18). Stocks in Hong Kong dropped 1.9%, led by losses for property, banking and tech shares.

(https://www.wsj.com/articles/ebay-shares-fall-on-lowered-profit-outlook-1508361244)Thursday also marks the anniversary of the 1987 stock-market crash (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/30-years-after-black-monday-could-stock-market-crash-again-2017-10-16), and some investors have voiced some concerns about how sharp stocks have run up since the November 2016 election, shaking off U.S. political and geopolitical and valuation concerns, among others.

Many believe stocks will continue to rise on hopes that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump will get a tax deal done. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned in a recent interview with Politico (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/mnuchin-has-an-important-warning-for-stock-market-investors-2017-10-18)that stocks could take a big hit if tax cuts aren't implemented soon.

Which stocks are in focus?

Earnings season is also a factor Thursday. Philip Morris International Inc.(PM) shares fell 1.3% ahead of the bell after adjusted earnings and sales fell short of expectations. Travelers Cos.(TRV) picked up 1.4% after quarterly earnings and revenue beat forecasts.

Verizon Communications Inc.'s (VZ) shares rose after reporting third-quarter results that mostly beat analysts' estimates and affirmed its 2017 outlook.

eBay Inc.(EBAY) saw its shares down more than 6% in premarket action after the online marketplace cut its annual profit outlook for the second straight quarter (https://www.wsj.com/articles/ebay-shares-fall-on-lowered-profit-outlook-1508361244).

(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-gdp-growth-slows-in-third-quarter-2017-10-18)On the heels of those losses for eBay, other technology shares were dragged lower in premarket trading, with Apple Inc.(AAPL) down 1.6%, Nvidia Corp.(NVDA) sliding 2.2% and Netflix Inc.(NFLX) down nearly 1.5%.

Alcoa Inc.(AA) shares slid 3% in premarket after an earnings miss (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alcoa-misses-on-earnings-but-beats-on-revenue-2017-10-18).

United Continental Holdings Inc.(UAL) fell 3% in premarket. The airline reported an earnings beat (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/united-continental-earnings-beat-despite-weather-related-cancellations-2017-10-18) despite weather-related cancellations.

American Express Co.(AXP) shares fell 1.5% in premarket. The company topped Wall Street expectations (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/american-express-shares-wobble-after-hours-following-earnings-beat-2017-10-18) on earnings and raised its guidance, and said Stephen Squeri, the current vice chairman, will become chief executive and chairman on Feb. 1 (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/american-express-says-stephen-squeri-to-become-ceo-chairman-2017-10-18).

After the close, PayPal Holdings Inc.(PYPL) is scheduled to report.

What are strategists saying?

"To me, it appears that the Catalan impasse has triggered a global selloff across the equity markets, because the Asian session was rather quiet. The selloff really picked up as European traders stepped in," said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior market analyst at LCG, in emailed comments. However, the "Catalan crisis may not dishearten the U.S. equity traders who seem to be on fire," she said.

"I think we're simply seeing a small pullback driven by profit-taking following what has been a very gradual but long run of record high days," said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda, in emailed comments. "Expectations for earnings season seem quite high, so I don't currently expect too much downside to result from this, barring any unforeseen shocks."

What economic reports are due?:

Weekly jobless claims and the Philly Fed survey are due at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, followed by leading economic indicators for September at 10 a.m.

What are other assets doing?

European stocks were lower, with Spain's IBEX 35 index losing as much as 1% as the Spain-Catalonia standoff continued.

In Asia , the Shanghai Composite lost 0.3%.

Oil prices fell sharply. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 68 cents, or 1.3%, to $51.58 a barrel, while Brent crude slid 59 cents, or 1%, to $57.56 a barrel.

Gold futures were rising, while the ICE U.S. Dollar Index was flat. The euro was trading higher against the dollar at $1.1825.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 19, 2017 07:55 ET (11:55 GMT)