Markets around the world were under pressure Tuesday as investors continue to worry about central banks easing back on their bond-buying programs and loose monetary policies.
U.S. stock futures dipped by roughly 0.9%.
After climbing steadily for the first part of the year, U.S. stocks have been choppy in recent weeks as investors try to gauge when the Federal Reserve will begin to slow the pace of its stimulus program.
Major Asian markets ended down between 1% to 1.5% after the Bank of Japan left its monetary policy unchanged, disappointing some who had been hoping for further stimulus measures. The yen, which had been losing traction against the U.S. dollar, gained nearly 2%.
European markets took their cue from Asia and headed lower in early trading.
On the corporate front, Lululemon (LULU) shares tanked tanked after the yogawear maker announced that CEO Christine Day is stepping down.
Shares of Sprint Nextel (S) rose after SoftBank, Japan's third-largest wireless carrier, increased its takeover offer.
Shares of Dole Foods (DOLE) surged after the company said its chairman and CEO, David Murdock, made a cash offer to buy the 60.5% of the company he doesn't already own. Murdock offered to pay a 17.6% premium to Monday's close.
Shares of aircraft maker Boeing (BA) slipped after the company trimmed its 20-year forecast for widebody jet demand, even as it raised its forecast for single-aisle jets.
