European stocks are adding to the previous session's gains, following mostly positive growth figures in the eurozone. Boosted by strong domestic demand and household spending, the German economy rose 0.7% in Q4 after expanding 0.1% in the previous three months, while data from France showed that GDP grew by 0.1% during the quarter, meeting analysts' expectations. The eurozone economy as a whole saw growth of 0.3%, fueling hopes that the region’s troubled recovery is finally strengthening.

"We will do whatever we can so that a deal is found on Monday," announced Greece's government spokesman, outlining that the country will make every effort to reach an agreement with euro zone finance ministers on how to transition to a new support program. Yesterday, the ECB extended another €5B in emergency loans to Greek banks, following fears that a spate of withdrawals could leave lenders in the country short of funding.

President Obama is poised to sign an executive order today aimed at encouraging companies to share more information about cybersecurity threats with the government and each other through new private-sector led information sharing and analysis organizations. The move comes as big Silicon Valley companies prove hesitant to fully support more mandated cybersecurity information sharing without reforms to government surveillance practices.

Brent crude rose above $60 a barrel today for the first time in 2015, bringing its gain this week to almost 4%. Since January, mounting signs of lower industry spending and job cuts at oil companies have helped prices move higher. Brent for April delivery crossed the key price mark this morning, after briefly gaining more than $1. U.S. crude is up 1.3% at $51.86.

Stocks

Groupon easily topped Wall Street's earnings and revenue expectations yesterday, but its forecast for Q1 fell short of expectations, after citing the unfavorable impacts of foreign exchange rates and global growth. The company expects Q1 revenue of $790M-840M, below estimates of $855.5M, and adjusted EBITDA of $45M-60M vs. consensus of $77M. Overall, Groupon (NASDAQ:GRPN) had a strong Q4, with gross billings up 31% worldwide to $2.1B. GRPN -2.1% premarket.

AIG posted a sharply lower fourth-quarter profit as its big workers’ compensation business, low interest rates and refinancing expensive debt hurt the insurer's results. The company reported an operating profit of $1.37B, well short of the $1.67B reported in the year-earlier period. AIG (NYSE:AIG) also announced that it would buy back about $2.5B in shares of common stock on top of the roughly $4.9B in stock it repurchased in 2014. AIG -1.7% premarket.

In a new securities filing, Petrobras (NYSE:PBR) says it plans to publish its much-delayed audited results for 2014 by the end of May, as the company tries to fend off possible loan defaults. Petrobras must provide its audited fourth-quarter results by the end of June or face default on more than $50B of bonds. PBR -1.2% premarket.

Freescale Semiconductor has hired investment bankers to explore a possible sale, the NY Post reported, citing a source close to the situation. The company went public in 2011 after being taken private in 2006 for $17.6B. Freescale's (NYSE:FSL) shares have soared over 75% in the last three months, with much of the rise coming after its strong Q4 results. FSL +1.5% premarket.

Zynga reported a significantly wider loss for the holiday quarter and projected lower-than-expected revenue amid additional investments by the game maker in the search for new hits. The company plans to release between six and 10 new titles this year. Zynga (NASDAQ:ZNGA), which has fallen 45% over the past year, expects Q1 revenue between $155M-$165M, below average analyst estimates of $201M. ZNGA -13.2% premarket.

ArcelorMittal warned this morning of lower profits in 2015 but surprised the market by managing to cut its debt to the lowest level since the company was created in 2006. The steelmaker said it expects core profits to drop to between $6.5B-$7B in 2015, from $7.2B in 2014, as dwindling prices of iron ore dent a recovery in steel demand. Despite a 5% decline in Q4 profit, ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT) posted a $1.1B net loss for 2014, an improvement on a $2.5B net loss a year ago. MT +1.9% premarket.

Not only is Valeant Pharmaceuticals reportedly prepping a bid for Salix Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SLXP), but Shire (NASDAQ:SHPG) is now rumored to be preparing an offer. Yesterday, Valeant Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:VRX) was reported to be arranging financing for a takeout of Salix at a likely price of more than $150 per share. Including net debt, Salix is valued at almost $11B.

As activist investor Harry Wilson and four hedge funds press GM (NYSE:GM) for an $8B share repurchase by mid-2016, the company is weighing the potential impact of the buyback, which may dent its balance sheet and jeopardize its credit ratings. Two ratings firms indicated this week that the proposed buyback could hurt GM’s current credit rating, which is one notch above junk status. Wilson, however, says GM needs to better manage its $25B in cash, and is looking to nominate himself for the company's board.

Today's Markets:

In Asia, Japan -0.4% to 17913. Hong Kong +1.1% to 24683. China +1% to 3205. India +1% to 29095.

In Europe, at midday, London +0.7%. Paris +0.7%. Frankfurt +0.6%.

Futures at 6:20: Dow +0.2%. S&P +0.2%. Nasdaq +0.3%. Crude +1.3% to $51.86. Gold +0.3% to $1224.80.

Ten-year Treasury Yield flat at 1.99%

Today's economic calendar:

8:30 Import/Export Prices

9:55 Reuters/UofM Consumer Sentiment

Notable earnings before today's open: BAM, CPN, DTE, EXC, HPY, IPG, ITT, MT, NGLS, POR, RRGB, RUTH, SJM, TRW, VFC, VTR, WBC

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