Futures Pointing To A Slightly Lower Open On Wall Street

(RTTNews) - While trading activity may be somewhat subdued, stocks are likely to move to the downside at the start of trading on Monday. The major index futures are currently pointing to a slightly lower open for the markets, with the Dow futures down by 8 points.

The downward momentum for the markets is partly due to concerns about the outlook for the global economy following the release of disappointing data from China.

The Chinese National Bureau of Statistics reported weaker than expected retail sales growth in August, while a separate report showed that Chinese industrial output also rose by less than expected.

Uncertainty ahead of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy announcement on Wednesday may also weigh on the markets.

The Fed is widely expected to announce a further reduction in the pace of its asset purchases, although traders are likely to pay closer attention to any suggestions regarding the outlook for interest rates.

Recent upbeat economic data has led to some concerns that the Fed may signal that it plans to begin raising rates sooner than previously anticipated.

On the U.S. economic front, the New York Federal Reserve recently released a report showing that business activity in the New York manufacturing sector has expanded at a robust pace in September.