U.S. Stock Futures Are Lower As Financial Firms Continue to Announce Results

U.S. stock futures are lower:  March retail sales increased 0.5% compared to 0.6% consensus and jobless claims for last week were 185k relative to estimates of 175k.  Futures remain in slightly negative territory post report.  This morning, the European Central Bank announced that it now expects to conclude its net asset purchases in the Q3’22 earlier than previously stated and reflects a more hawkish tone as Euro wide inflation was 7.5% in March.   Major financial firms continue to announce results this morning and investors will analyze corporate guidance for how companies will manage around higher inflation and increasing interest rates.  Treasury rates across the curve are flattish.  European markets are trading higher and Asian markets closed up for day.