Dow Poised to Extend March Toward 17K

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U.S. stock-index futures indicated the Dow could continue its march to 17000 on Wednesday as traders awaited a key report on the labor market.

Today's Markets

As of 8:21 a.m. ET, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 22 points, or 0.15%, to 16900, S&P 500 futures advanced 2.3 points, or 0.11%, to 1968 and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 5.7 points, or 0.15%, to 3891.

The blue-chip average came within less than two points of the 17000 milestone for the first time ever on Tuesday. However, the Dow failed to hold the gains.

A duo of closely-watched economic reports could help provide direction on Wednesday.

Payroll processor ADP reported the private sector tacked on 281,000 jobs last month, widely topping Wall Street estimates of an increase of 200,000.

Meanwhile, factory orders, a broad measure of factory activity, are forecast to have slipped by 0.3% on a month-to-month basis in May.

Elsewhere, U.S. crude oil futures fell 41 cents, or 0.39%, to $104.93 a barrel. Wholesale New York Harbor gasoline dipped 0.7% to $3.077 a gallon. Gold advanced $1.40, or 0.11%, to $1,328 a troy ounce.