By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch
U.S. stock futures were swinging between gains and losses as
investors await key jobs reports due later in the week.
A raft of corporate updates were in focus, as Coach Inc. (COH),
CVS Health Corp. (CVS) and Sprint Corp. (S) all reported earnings
before the opening bell.
Bouncing around the flatline, futures for the Dow Jones
Industrial Average lost 36 points, or 0.2%, to 17,475, while those
for the S&P 500 index shaved off 5.40 points, or 0.3%, to
2,085.50. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index lost 14.50 points, or
0.3%, to 4,558.50.
The small losses built on a weak session from Monday
(http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid), when all three
stock averages closed firmly lower after disappointing U.S.
economic data and a slump in oil prices
(http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid). A report on
manufacturing activity came in lower than expected
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ism-manufacturing-data-released-early-has-soft-tone-2015-08-03),
reigniting fears that growth in the world's largest economy is
losing momentum.
Data out later this week could also dictate the future trading
direction. On Friday, the top-tier nonfarm-payrolls report is due,
which will be scrutinized for clues to the strength of the
labor-market recovery. The Federal Reserve has said it's watching
economic indicators -- wages and employment numbers in particular
-- as it assesses when to hike interest rates.
The ADP employment report, considered a precursor to the nonfarm
data, is due on Wednesday.
Tuesday only features one noteworthy data set: Factory orders
for June, scheduled for release at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Economists
polled by MarketWatch expect a 2% rise after a 1% drop in May
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/factory-orders-fall-1-in-may-2015-07-02).
There are no Federal Reserve speakers on the docket.
Earnings: The reporting season continues at full speed on
Tuesday.
Shares of Coach Inc. (COH) jumped 5.1% ahead of the bell after
the luxury accessories maker reported better-than-expected profit
and sales
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/coach-shares-fall-in-premarket-after-company-offers-soft-outlook-2015-08-04)
for its fiscal fourth quarter but offered a cautious outlook for
the coming year.
Sprint(S) traded 4.2% higher after the telecoms company reported
a narrower-than-expected loss
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sprint-shares-rise-as-company-posts-narrower-than-expected-loss-2015-08-04)
for its fiscal fourth quarter.
CVS (CVS) slipped 0.7% after the drugstore chain gave a soft
earnings outlook for its current quarter
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cvs-health-offers-soft-outlook-as-sales-rise-2015-08-04).
Aetna Inc.(AET) reported better-than-expected second-quarter
earnings
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/aetna-beats-profit-expectations-lifts-outlook-2015-08-04)
as it benefits from growth in its government business.
Office Depot Inc.(ODP)released second-quarter earnings that met
analyst estimates
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/office-depot-profit-meets-estimates-but-sales-slightly-short-2015-08-04),
but sales slightly missed expectations.
Archer Daniels Midland Co.(ADM) reported second-quarter profit
and revenue below analyst forecast
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/archer-daniels-profit-sales-fall-below-expectations-2015-08-04).
After the closing bell, earnings from DreamWorks Animation
Inc.(DWA) and Walt Disney Co.(DIS) are on tap.
Read: What to look for in Disney's earnings
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-to-look-for-in-disneys-earnings-2015-08-03)
Movers and shakers: Shares of American International Group
Inc.(AIG) could be active after the insurance giant late Monday
boosted its dividend
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/aig-raises-dividend-as-profit-beats-estimates-2015-08-03-164852810)
and raised its share-repurchase target by $5 billion. It also
reported better-than-expected second-quarter results.
Twitter Inc.(TWTR) slipped 0.4% premarket after the stock on
Monday fell to its all-time low
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/twitter-stock-slumps-to-all-time-low-2015-08-03)
since the company's initial public offering in November 2013.
Apple Inc. (AAPL) shaved off 1% ahead of the open after sliding
into correction territory on Monday
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apples-stock-officially-enters-correction-territory-as-it-crosses-below-key-technical-level-2015-08-03).
Other markets: Chinese shares moved sharply higher
(http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid) after officials
announced fresh steps to rein in short selling.
In Europe, markets were generally lower
(http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid). Greece's Athex
Composite slumping 2.1% on its second trading day after the market
reopened aftrer being closed for five weeks.
Oil prices partly recovered from Monday's selloff. Brent crude
on London's ICE Futures inched back above $50 a barrel
(http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid), while the U.S.
benchmark put on 73 cents to $45.89 a barrel.
Metals prices were mixed, while the dollar declined against most
other major currencies.
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires