Market Opens with Dow Jones Under Pressure

The US markets experienced a mixed opening this Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average notably impacted by a significant drop in UnitedHealth shares. The healthcare giant's weak forecast led to a 17.39% plunge, dragging the index down by 1.25% at the open.

Earnings Season Highlights

Today's trading session was heavily influenced by a flurry of earnings reports. Blackstone announced a 10.8% decline in total revenue for the first quarter, while American Express reported a 7% increase in revenue. All eyes are now on Netflix, which is set to release its Q1 earnings after the market closes.

Economic Indicators Show Mixed Signals

On the economic front, initial jobless claims saw a decrease of 9,000, bringing the total to 215,000. However, housing starts took an 11.4% hit in March, indicating potential challenges in the housing sector. Later today, the market awaits the release of business inventory data for further insights.

Nasdaq and S&P 500 Show Resilience

Despite the Dow's struggles, the Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 managed to post gains, rising by 0.58% and 0.37%, respectively. Notable performers included Diamondback Energy, which jumped 3.43%, and Eli Lilly, soaring 12.17% on positive news regarding its weight-loss pill.

The euro also saw movement, trading 0.31% lower against the dollar at 9:26 am ET, with an exchange rate of 1.13636.