- Stock futures cling to small gains, with the S&P and Dow each +0.1%, after housing starts topped estimates but building permits declined unexpectedly.
- December industrial production rose 0.3%, in-line with consensus.
- European markets were higher following surprisingly strong U.K. retail sales data but have faded and barely remain positive; Asia ended mostly lower.
- UPS sharply cut Q4 EPS guidance, partly due to a shorter U.S. holiday season; Shell and Elizabeth Arden also issued warnings.
- Earnings reports from Intel, AmEx, Capital One and SLM all fell short of Wall Street consensus, GE was in-line, and Morgan Stanley and Schlumberger posted beats.
- Still ahead: consumer sentiment, job openings/labor turnover.