5 things to know before the stock market opens Thursday

5 things to know before the stock market opens Thursday

Here are the most important news, trends and analysis that investors need to start their trading day:1. Dow set to add to Wednesday's record closeTraders watch the Presidential Inauguration at the New York Stock Exchange.NYSEU.S. stock futures rose Thursday after the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all closed at record highs as President Joe Biden took office. Biden hit the ground running, signing a series of executive orders including one requiring Covid masks on federal property. He's expected to sign 10 pandemic-fighting orders on his first full day as president Thursday. Wall Street this year has been banking on another coronavirus stimulus package and a smoother vaccine rollout under Biden. So far in 2021, the Dow rose nearly 2%; the S&P 500 gained more than 2.5%; and the Nasdaq advanced 4.4%.Bitcoin slumped for a second day Thursday, taking the digital currency's losses to more than 10% over 48 hours and wiping off billions of dollars from the crypto market. Bitcoin has had a wild few weeks of volatility, briefly hitting a record high of over $40,500 earlier this month before sinking sharply.2. Jobless claims expected to remain elevatedSigns calling for more relief, a second Paycheck Protection Program, and support from elected