S&P and Nasdaq futures point to flat to lower start for major indexes; oil hits three-week highs.
Investors will be keeping one eye on oil prices and the other on economic and earnings reports due later this week when Wall Street reopens for business Monday.
S&P and Nasdaq futures pointed to a tough start for the stock market.
Stocks fell Friday despite the stronger-than-expected October jobs report, but the major indexes managed to close the week higher. (For more on last week's markets, click on the graphic).
Oil prices climbed to three-week highs Monday after a weekend bombing in Saudi Arabia heightened fears over the supply of Middle Eastern crude, Reuters reported. December New York crude futures gained 40 cents to $31.25 a barrel while London's benchmark Brent crude rose 49 cents to $29.40 a barrel.
Friday's jobs report, as well as the economy's third quarter growth rate of 7.2 percent, the best in nearly 20 years, have pointed to a pickup in economic growth, and in the job market. The question for investors: are those already baked into the stock market's cake?
For more clues on the economy, investors will be watching reports on October retail sales, producer prices and industrial output, all due Friday, and September's trade figures, out Thursday.
On the earnings front, a number of big retailers are scheduled to report results, notably Wal-Mart, also due Thursday morning.
Investors could also be watching chip stocks Monday morning after J.P. Morgan upgraded Intel Corp. to "overweight" and raised its sales and earnings estimates for the fourth quarter and the full year, Reuters reported, quoting market sources in London. Intel stock rose about 0.5 percent in Europe.
Overseas, stocks ended lower in Japan as investors weighed Sunday's election results that saw the return of the ruling coalition. European stocks got off to a slow start.
Treasury prices were little changed in Europe, leaving the yield on the 10-year note at about 4.44 percent,
The dollar rose against the euro but fell against the yen.
Also due later this week: earnings from Dell Inc. The computer maker is set to report after Thursday's closing bell.
Investors will be keeping one eye on oil prices and the other on economic and earnings reports due later this week when Wall Street reopens for business Monday.
S&P and Nasdaq futures pointed to a tough start for the stock market.
Stocks fell Friday despite the stronger-than-expected October jobs report, but the major indexes managed to close the week higher. (For more on last week's markets, click on the graphic).
Oil prices climbed to three-week highs Monday after a weekend bombing in Saudi Arabia heightened fears over the supply of Middle Eastern crude, Reuters reported. December New York crude futures gained 40 cents to $31.25 a barrel while London's benchmark Brent crude rose 49 cents to $29.40 a barrel.
Friday's jobs report, as well as the economy's third quarter growth rate of 7.2 percent, the best in nearly 20 years, have pointed to a pickup in economic growth, and in the job market. The question for investors: are those already baked into the stock market's cake?
For more clues on the economy, investors will be watching reports on October retail sales, producer prices and industrial output, all due Friday, and September's trade figures, out Thursday.
On the earnings front, a number of big retailers are scheduled to report results, notably Wal-Mart, also due Thursday morning.
Investors could also be watching chip stocks Monday morning after J.P. Morgan upgraded Intel Corp. to "overweight" and raised its sales and earnings estimates for the fourth quarter and the full year, Reuters reported, quoting market sources in London. Intel stock rose about 0.5 percent in Europe.
Overseas, stocks ended lower in Japan as investors weighed Sunday's election results that saw the return of the ruling coalition. European stocks got off to a slow start.
Treasury prices were little changed in Europe, leaving the yield on the 10-year note at about 4.44 percent,
The dollar rose against the euro but fell against the yen.
Also due later this week: earnings from Dell Inc. The computer maker is set to report after Thursday's closing bell.
3287.99
1275.09
