MARKET SNAPSHOT: Stock Futures Flatten After Weak German Data; Focus On Fed

By Barbara Kollmeyer, MarketWatch

MADRID (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stock futures struggled to move higher Monday, as relief from the relatively sanguine results of a series of tests of the health of the European banking system were overshadowed by worry over weak German data.

More data likely will dictate Monday's sentiment as investors turn a wary eye to this week's Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

Futures for the S&P 500 index (SPZ4) fell 3.1 points to 1,956.60, while those for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJZ4) fell 14 points to 16,722. Futures for the Nasdaq-100 index (NDZ4) eased 3 points to 4,031.75.

The S&P 500 (SPX) posted its biggest weekly gain of 2014 last week, rising 4.1%, with stocks lifted by upbeat corporate results and strong housing data. This week, markets will focus on the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, where the central bank is expected to announce the end of quantitative easing. How QE worked in the U.S. -- and could work in Europe.

Traders will be looking to see if the Fed drops the "considerable period" for keeping rates low at its two-day policy meeting, which concludes Wednesday. As several Fed officials have come out with dovish comments recently, investors largely expect that guidance to be reiterated.

"There will be no press conference for this meeting therefore, the chances for a shock pause in tapering is very low," said Nour Al-Hammoury, chief market strategist at ADS Securities in Abu Dhabi, in a note. He added the market would likely not see the sort of wild swings that have characterized benchmark averages over the past few weeks until that Fed announcement.

Goldman sees another 10% gain for stocks: The S&P 500 should climb to 2,050 by year-end and rise by 10% to 2,150 in 10 months, said Goldman Sachs's chief equity strategist David Kostin in a note to clients Friday. He said that move will come as "investors recognize the durability of U.S. growth, despite faltering global activity."

The September reading on pending-home sales will be released at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. The week will also deliver data on durable goods, gross domestic product and consumer spending. Growth data will be the highlight, with the government expected to report economic expansion of 3% in the third quarter.

Stocks to watch: Merck & Co. Inc.(MRK) tightened its outlook for the rest of the year as expiring patents weighed on sales. Its top line fell short, but shares edged up in premarket.

Allergan Inc. (AGN) shares jumped 2.6% after Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. (VRX) said it was prepared to improve its offer for Allergan to a value of at least $200 a share.

Health-care and energy sectors are expected to dominate investor attention this week as they deliver results. After the close on Monday, Twitter Inc. (TWTR) will report earnings. What to look for in Twitter's results

Other markets: European stocks fell after the German Ifo index of business sentiment fell to 103.2, falling short of forecasts. The survey's outlook for the German economy also deteriorated again. Banks were getting a lift from the results of regulators' stress tests, which found most lenders in good health.

In Asia, markets had a mixed day with Chinese stocks off, but Japan's Nikkei index climbing. Oil (CLZ4) ticked higher, while gold (GCZ4) prices did the opposite.

Stocks and ETFs linked to Brazil came under sharp pressure in premarket action, after President Dilma Rousseff won a second term on Sunday, defeating the conservative Aecio Neves in a narrow victory. Economists worry that four more years of Rousseff will increase Brazil's economic downturn.

The Direxion Daily Brazil Bull 3X Shares ETF (BRZU) tumbled 30%, while U.S.-listed shares of Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PBR) slid 16% in premarket action.

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