NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Weaker than expected retail sales and the resumed rise of oil appeared to worry investors in the hour before U.S. markets opened Thursday, although some Internet deals helped to support futures.

U.S. stock futures were down in early trading, although comparisons to fair value still suggested a higher opening for stocks after the broad decline seen in U.S. stocks Thursday.

Futures had been higher earlier in the morning, but they fell after a weaker than expected report on retail sales.

The government's reading on the closely watched economic indicator showed strong auto sales lifted overall sales gained 1.8 percent in July, following a 1.7 percent rise in June. But that was below the 2 percent gain forecast by economists surveyed by Briefing.com. Excluding autos, sales gained 0.3 percent, down from a revised 1.0 percent gain in June. Economists had been looking for a 0.6 percent gain in that measure.

Internet bellwether Yahoo! (Research) on Thursday confirmed earlier reports that it will pay $1 billion in cash and swap its China operations for a 40 percent stake in Chinese Internet auctioneer Alibaba.com.

And News Corp. (Research) Chairman Rupert Murdoch told investors during his company's earnings conference Wednesday evening that his media conglomerate had budgeted up to $2 billion for investments and strategic acquisitions and is "in advanced negotiations" to buy a controlling interest in an Internet search engine. News Corp. also topped earnings forecasts.

Oil prices hit another record early Thursday at $65.30 a barrel, retreated after the International Energy Agency cut its forecast for China's oil demand, then resumed their climb in late morning.

The September light crude futures contract for NYMEX gained 24 cents to $65.16 a barrel in electronic trading, while the September contract for Brent crude surged 60 cents to $64.59.

Major markets in Asia closed higher Thursday despite the record oil prices. But major European markets were lower in early trading.

Treasury prices were unchanged, with the 10-year yield holding at 4.39 percent. The dollar lost ground against on the euro and the yen.

For a more detailed look at the markets before the open, click here.