* 3M, DuPont, Travelers earns top views; Verizon misses
* Britain's economy unexpectedly contracts
* Home prices, consumer confidence data on tap
* Futures down: Dow 17 pts, S&P 4.7 pts, Nasdaq 10.5 pts
* For up-to-the-minute market news see []
(Adds quote, updates prices)
By Ryan Vlastelica
NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were
lower on Tuesday as investors parsed through a slew of
corporate earnings and continued to view the European economy
with caution.
Several Dow components reported results early Tuesday.
Profits from DuPont and Co <DD.N> and Travelers Cos Inc <TRV.N>
beat Wall Street views, and DuPont raised its 2011 outlook.
Travelers said it will repurchase $5 billion more of its stock.
For details, see [] and []
3M Co <MMM.N> also reported higher-than-expected results,
lifted by strong sales to the electronics industry. Still, its
shares dropped nearly 1 percent to $89.50. []
Verizon Communications Inc's <VZ.N> profit and sales were
slightly below estimates, sending shares of the
telecommunications group down 0.7 percent to $34.98 before the
bell. []
U.S. Steel Corp <X.N> fell 2.1 percent to $53.30 in
premarket trading after it posted a loss, though it narrowed
from the prior year. []
Equities have advanced in recent weeks, in part in
anticipation of strong corporate results. Weak bank earnings
last week contributed to a stalled rally, and the S&P ended a
seven-week run of gains.
"Earnings have generally been pretty good so far, but
expectations are so high that it's only natural some stocks are
due for a breather," said Cort Gwon, director of trading
strategies and research at FBN Securities in New York.
Gwon was encouraged by Travelers' share buyback program.
"This is a sign that corporations are really unlocking value
and returning it to shareholders. I expect this trend will
continue," he said.
Johnson & Johnson <JNJ.N> and Yahoo Inc <YHOO.O> are also
due to report later Tuesday.
In Europe, shares were lower after Britain's economy
unexpected contracted in the fourth quarter and Spanish banks
retreated after recent gains. []
S&P 500 futures <SPc1> fell 4.7 points and were below fair
value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account
interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the
contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures <DJc1> lost 17
points, and Nasdaq 100 futures <NDc1> dropped 10.5 points.
Shares of American Express Co <AXP.N> and Texas Instruments
Inc <TXN.N> fell in extended trading late Monday after
reporting results. American Express was pressured by an
uncertain regulatory outlook, while TI's gross margins
disappointed investors. [] and []
"American Express was a bit of a hiccup, but as you dig
into the numbers you can find some evidence of increasing
consumer spending, which is positive," Gwon said.
On the economic data front, the November S&P Case/Shiller
Home Price Index will come out at 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT).
Economists expect a drop of 0.8 percent versus a 1.0 percent
fall in the previous month.
The Conference Board will release its January reading on
consumer confidence at 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT) Economists see
confidence rising slightly to 54.3 from December's 52.5.
The International Monetary Fund revised its forecast for
world growth higher, citing the impact from a package on U.S.
taxes. []
U.S. President Barack Obama will give his annual State of
the Union address Tuesday evening and is expected to focus on
jobs and the economy. []
Stocks rose Monday on strength in natural resource and
technology shares as the recent positive momentum returned.
(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
