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Stocks set for lackluster start

Futures point to flat open as investors await slew of economic reports; oil holds near $100 a barrel.

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March 5 2008: 5:12 AM EST

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Having happy employees and upscale customers helps in a world where you're facing off with Sam's Club.

LONDON (CNNMoney.com) -- Stock futures were little changed early Wednesday, as cautious investors held back ahead of a wave of economic reports.

At 4:56 a.m. ET, Nasdaq and S&P futures were slightly higher, with a comparison to fair value pointing to a flat start for Wall Street.

Stocks have been on a rocky course lately. Stocks finished Tuesday's session mixed, as good news out of Ambac (ABK) and Cisco (CSCO, Fortune 500) helped offset a dour outlook on the housing sector from Fed chief Ben Bernanke.

Among the slew of economic reports due out are a reading on private sector employment. The ADP report comes ahead of the government's employment report on Friday.

Readings on productivity, factory orders and the services sector also are on tap. The Fed also is scheduled to release its Beige Book of economic conditions.

Oil prices held around $100 a barrel in electronic trading, ahead of an OPEC meeting where members are expected to hold production steady. Crude prices fell steeply Monday.

Companies to watch include Intel (INTC, Fortune 500), which is holding an analyst day. Retailers Costco (COST, Fortune 500) and BJ's (BJ, Fortune 500) are due to report earnings before the market open.  To top of page

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