Markets appear ready to start the week with a whimper, continuing last week’s uninspired performance.
Here are the four things you need to know before the opening bell rings in New York:
U.S. stock futures were slightly lower.
1. Monday earnings: Tyson Foods will post earnings before the opening bell and Herbalife will report after the close.
2. Stocks to watch: McDonald’s continues to be embroiled in a rotten meat scandal in China. Shares of the fast food chain have dropped 3.3% in the week since a longtime McDonald’s meat supplier was accused of processing expired meat.
Keep an eye on another American fast food chain, El Pollo Loco, to see if it continues to fly high — shares surged more than 60% in its first day of trading Friday.
3. International markets: Most European markets were higher in early trading, with France’s CAC 40 up 0.5.%.
Russia’s Micex index was 0.8% lower after an arbitration panel in the Hague ruled against the state, finding the government had illegally sold off the assets of oil company Yukos. Former major shareholders were awarded $50 billion in damages.
Most Asian markets advanced Monday, led by a 2.4% surge on China’s benchmark Shanghai Composite. Stocks in Mumbai fell 0.8% in afternoon trading.
4. Friday U.S. markets recap: U.S. stocks fell Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down almost 130 points while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq finished the day off about 0.5%. The three major indexes ended the week little changed.
