Wake Up Wall Street: Investors Focus On Strong Economic Data

U.S. stock futures on Tuesday are rising following the long weekend and ahead of earnings reports from some retail heavyweights

Author:: Edward Hardy
Publish date:: Feb 21, 2017 6:41 AM EST

This is what you need to know before the bell:

1. European private sector economic activity surged to its fastest pace in nearly six years, according to data published Tuesday by IHS Markit, as factories in Germany fuelled job creation and France's service sector boomed.

2. Shares of Kraft Heinz (KHC) - Get Report were down 3.3% in premarket trading on Tuesday after it agreed to withdraw its bid for Unilever (UL) - Get Report over the weekend.

3. HSBC plc (HSBC) - Get Report share fell sharply in London Tuesday after Europe's biggest bank posted much lower-than-expected full-year earnings and increased its share buyback program Tuesday after taking a multi-billion dollar writedown on its European private banking assets.

4. An acquisition of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (PLKI) could happen later this week, according to a report. Restaurant Brands International (QSR) - Get Report , the parent of Burger King and Tim Hortons, could announce a deal to buy Popeyes, the chain known for its deep-fried chicken, fries and buttermilk biscuits.