U.S. Stocks Seen Lower; Earnings Take the Stage

Premarket futures were hinting at a lower open for stocks on Wall Street Tuesday, as traders prepared to pick through a generous serving of corporate earnings statements.

Futures for the S&P 500 were down 8.7 points at 982 and were 4.6 short of fair value. Nasdaq futures were lower by 21 points at 1339 and were 19 below fair value.

On Monday, the major indices rallied sharply as credit markets opened up somewhat and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said an economic stimulus package may be a good idea. ...