RTRS: U.S. stock futures mixed after selloff; IBM in focus
* U.S. stock index futures pointed to a mixed open on Wall Street on Tuesday, as IBM's (IBM.N) and Ericsson's (ERICb.ST) forecast-beating outlook and results helped overshadow mounting worries over the stricken banking sector.
* At 1005 GMT, futures for the S&P 500 SPc1 were flat, Dow Jones DJc1 futures were up 0.06 percent and Nasdaq 100 NDc1 futures were down 0.4 percent.
* After the bell on Tuesday, IBM (IBM.N) issued a 2009 profit outlook that blew past Wall Street expectations, underscoring the ability of the world's top technology services firm to weather the global downturn and boosting its shares 4 percent.
* Global telecom gear maker Ericsson (ERICb.ST) reported forecast-beating quarterly profit and said it would cut 5,000 jobs, sending its shares rising 12 percent in Europe.
* Investors were bracing for earnings from bellwethers such as Apple Inc (AAPL.O), diversified manufacturer United Tech (UTX.N), drugmaker Abbott Laboratories (ABT.N), airline carrier UAL Corp (UAUA.O) and online auctioneer eBay Inc (EBAY.O), while U.S. banks posting earnings include Northern Trust Corp (NTRS.O) and U.S. Bancorp (USB.N).
* Economic indicators on tap for Wednesday include the National Association of Home Builders monthly survey of builders.
* The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI dropped 332.13 points, or 4.01 percent, to 7,949.09 on Tuesday, amid fresh signs the global bank crisis was far from over. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX slid 44.90 points, or 5.28 percent, to 805.22. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC tumbled 88.47 points, or 5.78 percent, to 1,440.86.
* Bank of New York Mellon Corp (BK.N) said on Tuesday that fourth-quarter profit tumbled 88 percent, hurt by securities losses and pressure on fees as client assets declined. Results reflected a charge of 65 cents per share from $1.24 billion in writedowns largely for securities tied to "Alt-A" mortgages, which often go to people who can't document income or assets.
* Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is reviewing his investment portfolio, Saudi newspapers quoted him as saying on Wednesday, after his Kingdom Holding Co 4280.SE, which has a substantial stake in Citigroup (C.N), posted a record loss in the fourth quarter.
* General Motors Corp (GM.N) Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson said the automaker expected to receive a delayed U.S. government loan payment in the next several days that it needs to avoid running out of cash.
* Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) sold its 7.26 percent stake in Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O), the software giant disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Microsoft's stake of around 150.9 million shares would have been worth some $3.4 billion on the day of the filing. (Reporting by Blaise Robinson; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)
