US stocks open higher after new record highs on Wall Street

U.S. stock index futures are pointing to a slightly higher open on Wall Street Thursday morning after closing at fresh record highs, as investors continue to monitor the global economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Dow futures were 22 points higher and pointed to an implied positive open of more than 23 points, while futures on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were fractionally higher.

Tech shares led the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite to new record highs on Wednesday, and some cautious optimism looks set to carry into Thursday’s trade.

S&P Global Ratings warned in a report on Thursday that Chinese lenders could be hit by as much as $1.1 trillion in questionable loans as the coronavirus ripples through China’s economy, while Goldman Sachs has said that markets are underestimating the potential fallout from the outbreak, suggesting the “risks of a correction are high.”