By Matthew Kanterman

U.S. equity futures were little changed in early premarket trade as the Japanese upper house of parliament approved three new Bank of Japan board member. Meanwhile, the European summit of finance ministers continued. Markets await to see if European leaders agree on more pro-growth policies or stick to austerity, as well as new details on Cyprus bailout.

In other news, the Federal Reserve criticized J.P. Morgan Chase (JPM) and Goldman Sachs (GS) for their capital raising plans in the second part of the stress test review. The Fed did not block the capital distribution plans but asked the banks to resubmit plans later on.

A Senate committee investigating the London Whale losses at J.P. Morgan Chase criticized the bank's executives for negligence in the massive trades that lost the bank billions of dollars this past summer.

Bank of England Governor Mervyn King, in responses to critics claiming that England is also intentionally weakening its currency, said explicitly that the BoE is not talking down the sterling. The pound is having its best day of 2013.

• S&P 500 futures fell 1.1 points to 1,554.90.
• The EUR/USD was higher at 1.3053.
• Spanish 10-year government bond yields rose to 4.87% from 4.83%.
• Italian 10-year government bond yields rose to 4.65% from 4.64%.
• Gold rose 0.04% to $1,591.50 per ounce.
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Asian markets
Asian shares were mixed overnight as Japanese shares rose on the Bank of Japan confirmations and Australian shares popped a day after the blowout employment report. The Japanese Nikkei Index rose 1.45% and the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.36% while the Hang Seng Index fell 0.38%. Also, the Korean Kospi fell 0.78% and Australian shares gained 1.75%.

European markets
European shares were mixed overnight as Spanish shares fell on higher bond yields. The Spanish Ibex Index fell 0.52% and the Italian FTSE MIB Index rose 0.13% as the Bersani-controlled lower house of parliament reconvenes today. Meanwhile, the German DAX was flat and the French CAC fell 0.45% while U.K. shares fell 0.08%.

Commodities
Commodities were higher overnight on the back of Asian equity strength on renewed hopes that Japan can emerge from its new decade. WTI crude futures rose 0.15% to $93.19 per barrel and Brent crude futures rose 0.28% to $109.26 per barrel. Copper futures rose 0.16% to $354.20 per pound, Gold was higher, and silver futures rose 0.25% to $28.87 per ounce.

Currencies
Currency markets were in flux as the pound was stronger alongside the euro and the yen flipped between gains and losses. The EUR/USD was higher at 1.3053 and the dollar was flat against the yen at 96.11 as the pound gained 0.4% against the dollar to 1.5144. Overall, the Dollar Index fell 0.29% on weakness against the pound, the euro, the Swiss franc, and the Canadian dollar.

Premarket movers
Stocks moving in the premarket included:

• J.P. Morgan Chase (JPM) shares fell 1.49% premarket after the Senate committee commented on the London Whale losses.
• Bank of America (BAC) shares rose 3.3% as the Fed approved the bank's capital plan.
• Citigroup (C) shares rose 1.35% premarket as the company had its new $1.2 billion in share buybacks and $0.01 per share quarterly dividend approved by the Fed.
• Aeropostale (ARO) shares fell 4.89% premarket after the company lowered its first quarter forecast.
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Earnings
Notable companies expected to report earnings Friday include:

• Brown Shoe Company (BWS) is expected to report fourth quarter earnings per share of $0.08 vs. $0.10 a year ago.
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Economics
On the economics calendar Friday, the consumer price index is due out alongside the Empire State manufacturing index. Later, TIC flows, industrial production and consumer sentiment are due out. And Richard Fisher of the Dallas Fed is set to speak on too big to fail in Maryland. Also, traders take note that today is quadruple witching, which could cause some volatility into the close as options and futures are settled.

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