Before the bell: Stock futures lower as investors eye economy


U.S. stock futures were lower Monday morning. While the Lennar (NYSE: LEN) results, which showed housing market improvement, and Dell's (NASDAQ: DELL) acquisition of Perot Systems for $3.9 billion both contributed to improved sentiment, investors still took a breather to take some profit following the recent rally and ahead of this week's Federal Reserve meeting and as world stocks decline.

Overseas, world stock markets were modestly lower Monday and oil prices slipped below $71 a barrel Monday due to high crude stockpiles and weak demand.

Meanwhile, President Obama and global leaders are of the G-20 nations are to meet this week in Pittsburgh for a two-day summit, seeking to deliver the broadest financial regulation overhaul since the 1930s, including curbing leverage, holding more equity capital and keeping a greater pool of assets that can be easily traded. Other regulations could include restraining bankers' pay and narrowing imbalances in trade and savings.

The only economic report due out today is the Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators, which is to be released at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. The index is forecast to have risen 0.7% in August after rising 0.6% in July, according to Briefing.com.
Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-89.2312,801.23
NASDAQ-23.352,903.88
S&P 500-9.311,342.64

Last updated: February 13, 2012: 08:09 AM

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