Get Ready For More Data

Good morning. The market is set for a lower open as investors ponder monthly chain-store sales, a disappointing Monster Employment Index, rising jobless claims, and interest rate concerns.

Premarket scans show buying interest focused on stocks like IFON, MTRX, WITS, BOOM, OSCI, OSUR, NUVO, GYMB, IMCL, ISIS, NICE, COST, MEDX, INTC, GMKT, ZVUE, and NAPS. Sellers are focused on shares of NRMX, HOTT, BEBE, CHS, TRAK, SNSA, PTEN, CHA, LFC, and CHL.

At 10:AM we have reports on factory orders, the ISM Non-Manufacturing Survey, pending home sales and at 10:30AM the EIA Petro report. Energy statistics will be closely watched especially in light of the decline in energy stocks yesterday based on warm weather projections. Oil prices are again under pressure this morning.

At the moment, I'm trying my best to keep an open mind as I get my feel back for the tape and where we're going in the short-term. Have a terrific Thursday!