Stocks: 4 things to know before the open

S&P futures 2014 08 15

Investors are gearing up for the final trading day of the week. Here are the four things you need to know before the opening bell rings in New York:

1. Positive investor sentiment: It looks like markets could end the week in positive territory. U.S. stock futures were higher Friday, building on a string of gains over the last few trading days.

Most European markets were rising by about 1% in afternoon trading.

Nearly all major Asian markets closed with gains.

2. Stock market mover -- Monster Beverage, Estee Lauder: Shares in energy-drink maker Monster (MNST) were up by 20% in premarket trading after Coca-Cola (KO) said it would buy a 17% stake in the company. Shares in Coca-Cola were also edging higher.

Shares in Estee Lauder (EL) were volatile in premarket trading. The cosmetics company is slated to report earnings before the open.

Related: Fear & Greed Index

3. Earnings and economics: The U.S. government will post its producer price index at 8:30 a.m. ET. The University of Michigan's monthly measure of consumer confidence will follow at 9:55 a.m.

Dillard's (DDS) will release earnings ahead of the opening bell.

Related: CNNMoney's Tech30

4. Thursday market recap: U.S. stocks closed higher Thursday. The Dow added nearly 62 points while both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose about 0.4%.

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