Stocks set for shaky start

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- U.S. stocks were set for a weak open Wednesday as worries about the global recovery persisted.

Dow Jones industrial average (INDU), S&P 500 (SPX) and Nasdaq futures were narrowly lower ahead of the opening bell.

Futures measure current index values against perceived future performance.

Worries about the economy and upcoming second-quarter earnings have rattled investors recently.

Wall Street got off to a strong start Tuesday, but then came under pressure and pared gains. With little in the way of economic data to guide investors, trading could be volatile again Wednesday.

"It's a very uncertain, confusing environment for people right now," said Derek Hoffman, chief executive and founder of Wall St. Cheat Sheet. "The market has sold off recently on worries that the economy is shaky, and this week is likely to remain very choppy as we approach earnings season."

Debt: A report from the American Bankers Association showed that fewer consumers are behind on their debt payments when compared to a year ago.

Americans appear to be hunkering down and being more prudent with their finances amid the economic slowdown, the group said.

World markets: European shares fell in morning trading. Britain's FTSE 100 lost 0.7%, France's CAC 40 dropped 0.8% and Germany's DAX fell 0.6% in the early going.

Most Asian markets ended lower. Japan's benchmark Nikkei declined 0.6% and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong tumbled 1.1%. Indexes in Taiwan and Australia also fell, although the Shanghai Composite added 0.5%.

Dollar and commodities: The dollar was up against the euro and the British pound, but down versus the Japanese yen.

U.S. light crude oil for August delivery rose 37 cents to $72.35 a barrel.

COMEX gold's August contract dropped $7.80 to $1,187.30 per ounce.

Bonds: Treasury prices rose, and the yield on the 10-year note was steady at 2.93%. Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.