Stock futures fell slightly early Wednesday amid renewed concerns about some European countries' ability to reduce debt loads.
S&P 500 futures fell 2 points vs. fair value. Dow futures lost 10 points. Nasdaq 100 futures gave up 1.8 points.
The European Commission is weighing new penalties for countries that don't reign in spending as part of a strategy to prevent another debt crisis like the one that led to financial bailout of Greece. One proposal would force countries to set aside 0.2% of their gross domestic product if they accumulate too much debt.
Meanwhile, anti-austerity protests broke out across the continent Wednesday. Protests against moves to tighten budgets, raise taxes and cut pensions were reported in Greece, Spain, Ireland and Belgium.
In corporate news, shares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) fell 11% in the pre-market after it said regulators are conducting an inquiry into its accounting practices. The stock sank 1.44% on Tuesday.
Deep-discount retailer Family Dollar Stores (FDO) is due to report fiscal fourth-quarter results later today. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect earnings of 51 cents a share, up 19% from a year earlier.
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 0.67%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.22%. In afternoon trading, Britain's FTSE 100 declined 0.08%. Germany's DAX index rose 0.04% and France's CAC-40 climbed 0.13%.
