US Stock Index Futures Predict A Gloomy Picture For The Markets Today

US stock index futures fell today as investors awaited data on the health of the key housing market. While futures on S&P 500 lost 2.4 points to 1105.10, those on Nasdaq 100 fell 7 points to 1814.00. Meanwhile, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped 27 points.

According to a Reuters poll, consumer confidence data, which is scheduled to be released at 10 a.m, is likely to be show that consumers have been less upbeat. Analysts expect the Conference Board, an industry group, to report a 55.0 points decline in its February consumer sentiment index from 55.9 in January, which was the highest since September 2008.

The FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of leading European shares fell 0.7%, eliminating gains after a key German index of business sentiment fell unexpectedly.

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