Sour Earnings Outlooks Point Futures Lower

Premarket futures were hinting at a lower open for U.S. stocks Thursday, as corporate news from the retail, auto and technology sectors suggested continuing economic struggles.

Futures for the S&P 500 were down 5.5 points at 848 and were 2.7 below fair value. Nasdaq futures were down 18 points at 1146 and were 20 short of fair value.

On Wednesday, stocks got pummeled as Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson offered modifications on how the government would spend the remaining money in the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program. ...