LONDON (ShareCast) - (ShareCast News) - Wall Street is being called to start the week slightly lower amid somewhat downbeat 'market chatter' regarding the prospects for fiscal reform in the States and President Donald Trump's remarks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, in Vietnam.
As of 1152 GMT, the Dow Jones 'mini' contract was trading off by 42 points to 23,340.0, alongside a 3.0 point dip in the S&P 500 mini while a similar contract for the Nasdaq-100 was down by 5.5 points to 6,303.75.

In parallel, the yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note was down by three basis points to 2.37%.

"Global equities are mixed at the start of the new trading week as investors digest a plethora of drivers. [...] Meanwhile, US tax reform plans could face a major hurdle as two separate plans emerge from Senate and House Republicans, although party leaders appear unconcerned ahead of a Thursday vote on the latter's bill," mused Henry Croft from Accendo Markets.

Attending the APEC summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Friday, some observers expressed surprise at Trump's decision to criticise multilateral trade deals precisely at that venue.

"Despite years of broken promises, we were told that someday soon everybody would behave fairly and responsibly. People in America and throughout the Indo-Pacific region have awaited that day to come but it never has and that is why I am here today," Trump told delegates present at the summit.

Monday's economic calendar was light, with only the latest US Treasury budget balance figures set for release, at 1900 GMT.

On the corporate front, shares of General Electric were in the spotlight after the conglomerate halved its quarterly dividend to 12 cents a share, telling shareholders it was the right decision to align its payout and cash flow.

GE chief John Flannery was scheduled to unveil a new strategic road map later the same day.

Stock in toy-maker Mattel was also in play, with the shares rocketing after the Journal reported on 10 November that rival Hasbro had tabled an offer for the firm.

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