US STOCKS-Futures lower as investors wade through earnings

* 3M, DuPont, Travelers earns top views; Verizon misses

* Britain's economy unexpectedly contracts

* Home prices, consumer confidence data on tap

* Futures down: Dow 17 pts, S&P 4.7 pts, Nasdaq 10.5 pts

* For up-to-the-minute market news see [STXNEWS/US] (Adds quote, updates prices)

By Ryan Vlastelica

NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were lower on Tuesday as investors parsed through a slew of corporate earnings and continued to view the European economy with caution.

Several Dow components reported results early Tuesday. Profits from DuPont and Co and Travelers Cos Inc beat Wall Street views, and DuPont raised its 2011 outlook. Travelers said it will repurchase $5 billion more of its stock. For details, see [ID:nN24195137] and [ID:nSGE70N0D3]

3M Co also reported higher-than-expected results, lifted by strong sales to the electronics industry. Still, its shares dropped nearly 1 percent to $89.50. [ID:nN21247179]

Verizon Communications Inc's profit and sales were slightly below estimates, sending shares of the telecommunications group down 0.7 percent to $34.98 before the bell. [ID:nN25241355]

U.S. Steel Corp fell 2.1 percent to $53.30 in premarket trading after it posted a loss, though it narrowed from the prior year. [ID:nN25180744]

Equities have advanced in recent weeks, in part in anticipation of strong corporate results. Weak bank earnings last week contributed to a stalled rally, and the S&P ended a seven-week run of gains.

"Earnings have generally been pretty good so far, but expectations are so high that it's only natural some stocks are due for a breather," said Cort Gwon, director of trading strategies and research at FBN Securities in New York.

Gwon was encouraged by Travelers' share buyback program. "This is a sign that corporations are really unlocking value and returning it to shareholders. I expect this trend will continue," he said.

Johnson & Johnson and Yahoo Inc are also due to report later Tuesday.

In Europe, shares were lower after Britain's economy unexpected contracted in the fourth quarter and Spanish banks retreated after recent gains. [ID:nLDE70O0VC]

S&P 500 futures fell 4.7 points and were below fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures lost 17 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 10.5 points.

Shares of American Express Co and Texas Instruments Inc fell in extended trading late Monday after reporting results. American Express was pressured by an uncertain regulatory outlook, while TI's gross margins disappointed investors. [ID:nN24205148] and [ID:nN24201755]

"American Express was a bit of a hiccup, but as you dig into the numbers you can find some evidence of increasing consumer spending, which is positive," Gwon said.

On the economic data front, the November S&P Case/Shiller Home Price Index will come out at 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT). Economists expect a drop of 0.8 percent versus a 1.0 percent fall in the previous month.

The Conference Board will release its January reading on consumer confidence at 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT) Economists see confidence rising slightly to 54.3 from December's 52.5.

The International Monetary Fund revised its forecast for world growth higher, citing the impact from a package on U.S. taxes. [ID:nJAT007100]

U.S. President Barack Obama will give his annual State of the Union address Tuesday evening and is expected to focus on jobs and the economy. [ID:nN24270464]

Stocks rose Monday on strength in natural resource and technology shares as the recent positive momentum returned. (Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)