While overseas markets are weak following yesterday's poor showing in U.S. equities and higher oil prices, news that workers filing for unemployment benefits fell and a good report from Monsanto (MON) due primarily to strong demand in Latin America has helped.

We also have a couple of reports on the employment situation with the released of the ADP employment number (40K vs 33K expectation - last month the ADP reported 189K jobs compared with the government’s report of 94K) and the Monster employment index which dropped sharply in December to 169 from November's 183. In addition, late payments on consumer loans reportedly have risen to the highest point since the last recession.

Premarket gainers: SCRX, SOLF, KONG, MON, NFLX, GNVC, SINA, ENMD, URBN, MVSN, SEED, EXAC, TRAD, MVIS, SPN, CSIQ, CTDC, FINL, STT, MELI, DNDN, SIGM, and HOKU.

Premarket losers: VRTX, CBAK, CYMI, UAPH, SPF, YRCW, AXTI, DSTI, JADE, KLAC, ANSS, and GRMN.

The Commerce Department will release November factory orders at 10:AM (economists expect a +1% increase) and automakers will be releasing their sales data for December. Like yesterday, oil prices will also be a factor as they attempt to break the $100 threshold even though tomorrow's jobs report is the most important datapoint of the week.

Have a terrific Thursday!