The major indexes edged lower in pre-market action Monday, as investors fretted over ongoing European debt concerns and looked past a strong showing by retailers over the holiday weekend.
Nasdaq 100, S&P 500 and Dow futures traded slightly lower ahead of the opening bell.
The European Union signed an agreement Sunday to provide nearly $90 billion in rescue loans for Ireland. But concerns remain for other European countries, including Portugal and Spain.
According to estimates from the National Retail Federation trade group, some 212 million shoppers visited U.S. stores and websites during the first weekend of the holiday season, up from 195 million last year.
While online retailers look for continued strong results on Cyber Monday, experts warn that sales could be hurt by e-commerce promotions earlier in the holiday shopping season.
The retail results come amid improving U.S. consumer sentiment. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer confidence index showed sentiment improving more than expected in November. The index reached its highest level in five months.
Top-rated stocks slated to report quarterly earnings results later this week include OmniVision Technologies (OVTI), Semtech (SMTC), VeriFone (PAY) and Ulta Salon (ULTA).
Economic reports on the docket this week include the monthly jobs report, due out Friday, and the Institute for Supply Management's readings of the manufacturing and services industries, also due Friday.
In commodities news, oil prices rose to nearly $85 a barrel. Crude was trading slightly above $67 a barrel just six months ago.
