Azernews.Az

By Bloomberg

U.S. stock-index futures retreated with equities in Europe amid concerns about Greece debt talks.

Standard & Poor’s 500 Index E-mini contracts expiring in September lost 0.2 percent to 2,097.75 at 9:47 a.m. in London. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 0.1 percent to 17,937.

Along with consumer sentiment data later today, investors are watching for developments in talks between Greece and its creditors as officials plan for a worsening of the crisis.

“With a deal becoming more and more elusive, markets are still clearly nervous about what’s around the corner,” said Heinz-Gerd Sonnenschein, a strategist at Deutsche Postbank AG, in Bonn, Germany. “U.S. economic figures have shown an encouraging improvement and we expect the second half the year to be much better. That should make investors comfortable, but can be easily overshadowed by negative news on Greece.”

The S&P 500 rose Thursday, making its 0.8 gain so far this week its best since April as data showing an increase in retail sales bolstered confidence in the economy.

A report at 10 a.m. New York time will probably show consumer sentiment improved this month from a six-month low in May, economists forecast. The Federal Reserve meets next week to discuss the timing of any interest-rate hike.

European Union officials gave Greece less than 24 hours to come up with firm proposals to end the impasse and avert a default. Policy makers are now examining all scenarios if Greece refuses to compromise, including the possibility that the country could eventually leave the currency, according to two officials present at the meetings.

Twitter Inc. rose 3.7 percent in German trading after saying Chief Executive Officer Dick Costolo will step down. Jack Dorsey will become interim CEO.

T-Mobile US Inc. advanced 5.6 percent in late New York trading after the Wall Street Journal reported that Dish Network Corp. is in talks with banks on funding a bid for the company.