Stock futures point to lower Wall Street open

NEW YORK -- Stock index futures are pointing toward a lower start on Wall Street as investors show a little more caution after the market's huge two-week rally.

Investors appear ready to follow their counterparts overseas, where markets declined on mixed corporate earnings.

Wall Street is waiting for a stream of earnings reports over the next three days. And later Tuesday, they'll get readings on home prices and consumer confidence.

The Conference Board's consumer confidence report is expected to show Americans remain worried about current economic conditions and the rise in unemployment. Consumers are critical to the economic recovery because their spending accounts for more than two-thirds of all economic activity.

Like consumer confidence, investors are also closely monitoring the housing market for signs of stability and look forward to a reading on home prices in major metropolitan markets to be released today.

Moderating declines in prices could add support to the sector after recent sales figures data showed increased activity.

On Monday, stocks posted small gains after investors grappled with mixed earnings and economic reports.