1. Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia-region expanded at the slowest pace in four months in July, dampening optimism over the U.S. economic outlook, official data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said that its manufacturing index deteriorated to a reading of 5.7 this month from June's reading of 15.2. Analysts had expected the index to fall to 12.0 in July.
2. U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday as investors cheered Greek parliamentary approval of a bailout plan and on strong quarterly reports from U.S. bluechip companies.
The Dow Jones industrial average (DJI) rose 68.55 points, or 0.38 percent, to 18,118.72. The S&P 500 (SPX) gained 10.79 points, or 0.51 percent, to 2,118.19 and the Nasdaq composite (IXIC) added 37.31 points, or 0.73 percent, to 5,136.25.
3. Crude oil futures rebounded from the previous day\'s steep decline on Thursday, but gains were limited amid ongoing concerns over a global supply glut.
On the ICE Futures Exchange in London, Brent oil for September delivery tacked on 60 cents, or 1.04%, to trade at $57.72 a barrel during U.S. morning hours.
4. The European Central Bank on Thursday increased its emergency lending to Greek banks by €900 million and added that it is operating under the assumption that Greece will remain in the euro zone.
Speaking at a press conference after the bank’s decision to keep euro area interest rates on hold at record lows, ECB President Mario Draghi said several positive things have happened to allow the increase in emergency liquidly assistance.
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