NEW YORK (AP) U.S. stock futures are in a holding pattern following the holiday weekend and eight straight weeks of gains for the S&P 500.
Dow futures are down 2 points to 16,064. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 futures are down 1 point to 1,803. Nasdaq futures are up 3 points to 3,491.
Early returns from the kickoff of the holiday shopping season could influence the market. Reports indicate that shoppers spent less over the long weekend than they did last year, even though they turned out in record crowds. It would be the first decline in Thanksgiving weekend spending since a retail trade group began tracking it in 2006.
Later Monday morning, investors will scrutinize reports on November manufacturing activity and October construction spending for clues on the economy's direction.
