Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed to a lower open on Tuesday, as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of U.S. data later in the day, amid fresh concerns over the strength of the country's economic recovery.
Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.13% loss, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.19% decline, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.17% fall.
Investors were awaiting U.S. reports on house price inflation and consumer confidence for further indications on the outlook for growth.
A recent series of disappointing U.S. economic indicators, including reports on jobs growth, retail sales and housing, have sparked concerns that the economic recovery has lost momentum since the end of last year.
The financial sector was expected to be active, as JPMorgan Chase was preparing to hold its investor day in New York on Tuesday morning, with presentations from Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon.
Shares in JPMorgan rose 0.21% in pre-market trade.
Tech stocks were also likely to be in the spotlight, after International Business Machines promised to keep 3,100 jobs in its home state of New York through the next two years, therefore restoring positions the company eliminated last year.
LinkedIn Corp. gained 0.96% in extended trading amid news it is establishing a Chinese-language website that will restrict some content in order to comply with state censorship rules.
Elsewhere, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. edged up 0.07% in after-hour trade, following reports the retailer's Mexican and Central American unit plans to spend $1.1 billion to open stores and improve its e-commerce technology, in a move to boost growth in the region as U.S. sales are slowing.
In earnings news, Home Depot said adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.73 cents in the final three months of 2013, above expectations for adjusted earnings of $0.71 cents per share.
Howevere, the company’s fourth quarter revenue totaled $17.7 billion, missing forecasts for revenue of $17.91 billion. Shares dropped 0.82% in early trading.
Other stocks likely to be in focus included Macy's, T-Mobile U.S., Dreamworks Animation, scheduled to report quarterly results later in the day.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were lower. The EURO STOXX 50 edged down 0.18%, France’s CAC 40 declined 0.47%, Germany's DAX retreated 0.46%, while Britain's FTSE 100 slid 0.63%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slid 0.32%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index jumped 1.44%.