The upcoming report on U.S. manufacturing sector activity for December is likely to be the primary highlight this Friday.
Asian markets displayed mixed outcomes at their close, whereas European markets are mostly on a downward trend.
In Asian trading, gold experienced a slight decline, while oil prices remained relatively stable.
Initial indicators from the U.S. Futures Index suggest a potentially moderate rise at the opening of Wall Street.
As noted by 7:40 AM ET, Dow futures had increased by 96.00 points, S&P 500 futures were up by 11.50 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures had advanced by 55.50 points.
U.S. major indices closed Thursday with minor losses. Specifically, the Dow diminished by 151.95 points, or 0.4%, closing at 42,392.27. The Nasdaq decreased by 30.00 points, or 0.2%, settling at 19,280.79, while the S&P 500 fell by 13.08 points, or 0.2%, to 5,868.55.
On the economic agenda, the ISM Manufacturing Index for December is scheduled for release at 10:00 AM ET, with a consensus expectation of 48.5, up slightly from 48.4 the previous month.
The Energy Information Administration's Natural Gas Report is due at 10:30 AM ET. The prior week's report showed a reduction of 93 billion cubic feet in gas stocks.
The Baker Hughes Rig Count will be announced at 1:00 PM ET. Last week's figures indicated a North America rig count at 684 and a U.S. rig count at 589.
At 4:30 PM ET, the Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet data will be published. The previous week recorded a level increase to $6.886 trillion.
Additionally, Richmond Fed Bank President Thomas Barkin will make remarks at the Maryland Bankers Association's First Friday Economic Outlook Forum.
Asian stock markets concluded mixed on Friday. Specifically, China's Shanghai Composite index declined by 1.57% to 3,211.43, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose by 0.70% to 19,760.27.
Japanese markets remained closed due to a holiday.
Australian markets ended in positive territory, with the S&P/ASX 200 index rising by 0.60% to 8,250.50 and the broader All Ordinaries index increasing by 0.55% to 8,511.90.
In Europe, share prices are largely trending downward. The CAC 40 Index in France is down by 62.06 points or 0.84%, Germany's DAX has fallen by 75.90 points or 0.38%, and the U.K. FTSE 100 Index is down by 6.27 points or 0.08%.
Conversely, the Swiss Market Index shows a minor increase of 2.08 points or 0.02%.
The Euro Stoxx 50 Index, which tracks 50 prominent companies within the Eurozone, is down by 0.57%.
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