Market Notes - February 12, 2009

U.S. stock futures were pressured by declines in international market, but pared losses after economic surprises. Retail sales rose 1% in January, while economist expected to see a decline. Meanwhile, initial jobless claims fell by 8,000 last week to 623,000 from an upwardly revised 631,000 in the prior week. Continuing claims, however, remained at a record level. In earnings news, Coco-Cola beat estimates while Viacom reported sharply lower earnings.