Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed to a moderately lower open on Wednesday, as investors awaited the release of U.S. data as well as the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting, while sentiment slightly weakened ahead of a series of euro zone meetings this week.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.22% loss, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.31% fall, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.28% decline.
Investors remained cautious as Luxemburg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, who also heads the group of euro zone finance ministers, was to hold talks with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras later Wednesday, to discuss a two-year extension of the country’s economic reform program.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to meet with French President Francois Hollande on Thursday, while Antonis Samaras is to meet with the French and German leaders later in the week.
Market participants were also anticipating the minutes of the Fed’s August policy meeting later in the day, amid speculation over how close the U.S. central bank may be to implementing another round of stimulus measures.
Tech stocks were expected to be active, as computer technology giant Dell saw shares plunge 4.54% in after-hour trade as the company cut this year’s profit forecast by 20% due to a decline in personal computer sales.
Meanwhile, Apple was also slated to remain in focus, as shares continued to rise on Tuesday after becoming the most highly valued public company ever when its stock reached USD665.15 on Monday. Shares were up 0.16% in pre-market trade.
Separately, the ongoing patent trial between the iPhone maker and Korean rival Samsung Electronics continued to draw media attention, as jurors were reportedly asked to answer more than 600 questions, only to get to the end of their verdict form.
In the Internet sector, Facebook was likely to remain in the spotlight, as the social media giant continued its losing streak on Tuesday, following reports that director Peter Thiel sold roughly USD400 million worth of shares in the company last week, cashing out most of his stake.
Elsewhere, Toll Brothers was slated to move to the upside after the luxury-home builder reported better-than-expected third quarter earnings, thanks to higher revenue. Shares jumped 1.38% in early trading.
According to a Bloomberg report, the U.S. new-home market is beginning to recover as historically low mortgage rates and a tight inventory of existing houses push more people to consider buying from builders.
Market participants were also eyeing a U.S. report on existing home sales later in the day, for further indications on the strength of the housing sector’s recovery.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were lower. The EURO STOXX 50 dropped 0.51%, France’s CAC 40 declined 0.42%, Germany's DAX retreated 0.71%, while Britain's FTSE 100 tumbled 0.97%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index plummeted 1.06%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.27%.
Trade volumes remained light on Wednesday, with many market participants on summer holidays.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.22% loss, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.31% fall, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.28% decline.
Investors remained cautious as Luxemburg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, who also heads the group of euro zone finance ministers, was to hold talks with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras later Wednesday, to discuss a two-year extension of the country’s economic reform program.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to meet with French President Francois Hollande on Thursday, while Antonis Samaras is to meet with the French and German leaders later in the week.
Market participants were also anticipating the minutes of the Fed’s August policy meeting later in the day, amid speculation over how close the U.S. central bank may be to implementing another round of stimulus measures.
Tech stocks were expected to be active, as computer technology giant Dell saw shares plunge 4.54% in after-hour trade as the company cut this year’s profit forecast by 20% due to a decline in personal computer sales.
Meanwhile, Apple was also slated to remain in focus, as shares continued to rise on Tuesday after becoming the most highly valued public company ever when its stock reached USD665.15 on Monday. Shares were up 0.16% in pre-market trade.
Separately, the ongoing patent trial between the iPhone maker and Korean rival Samsung Electronics continued to draw media attention, as jurors were reportedly asked to answer more than 600 questions, only to get to the end of their verdict form.
In the Internet sector, Facebook was likely to remain in the spotlight, as the social media giant continued its losing streak on Tuesday, following reports that director Peter Thiel sold roughly USD400 million worth of shares in the company last week, cashing out most of his stake.
Elsewhere, Toll Brothers was slated to move to the upside after the luxury-home builder reported better-than-expected third quarter earnings, thanks to higher revenue. Shares jumped 1.38% in early trading.
According to a Bloomberg report, the U.S. new-home market is beginning to recover as historically low mortgage rates and a tight inventory of existing houses push more people to consider buying from builders.
Market participants were also eyeing a U.S. report on existing home sales later in the day, for further indications on the strength of the housing sector’s recovery.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were lower. The EURO STOXX 50 dropped 0.51%, France’s CAC 40 declined 0.42%, Germany's DAX retreated 0.71%, while Britain's FTSE 100 tumbled 0.97%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index plummeted 1.06%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index fell 0.27%.
Trade volumes remained light on Wednesday, with many market participants on summer holidays.