The futures market suggests that the major stock indexes will open in a positive manner today. Prior to the bell, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York released its Empire State Manufacturing Survey for the month of December. The index came in at a low 0.2, versus economists’ expectation of 10.0 and the previous month level of 31.2. This index, however, can be quite volatile month to month. It has indicated a recovery for much of this year, following marked weakness in 2022 and 2023.