Stock Futures Signal Weak Start

Back in merger news, beverage maker Coca-Cola (KO Quote) offered to buy China Huijan Jice for about $2.5 billion.

Machinery manufacturer Joy Global (JOYG Quote) and office-supplies retailer Staples (SPLS Quote) are slated to report earnings ahead of the open.

In the realm of commodities, crude oil was declining $1.52 to $108.19. Gold was down $10.10 at $800.40.

Shifting to economic data, auto manufacturers will be revealing their August sales figures. The Census Bureau will also release data on factory orders for July. The Federal Reserve's so-called beige book, which contains anecdotal data on the state of the economy, will come out in the afternoon.

Longer-dated U.S. Treasury securities were down slightly. The 10-year was off 2/32 to yield 3.74%, and the 30-year was down 3/32, yielding 4.36%. The dollar was gathering strength against the euro and pound but was slightly lower against the yen.