As futures point lower, several stocks are in focus before the bell.
A notable story is that DaVita Inc (NYSE:DVA), whose shares surged almost 9% to US$66.28 in extended deals after UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH), shares up 0.05% said it will pay just under US$5 billion for DaVita's medical unit.
It will combine it with DaVita's Optum division as it expands into ambulatory care delivery systems.
Meanwhile, also in pre-market news, Home Depot Inc (NYSE:HD) shares lost 2.37% to US$178.45 after hours, having rallied nearly 17% higher in the past three months.
The firm has launched a new US$15bn stock repurchase program and affirmed its 2017 profit and sales outlook as part of an update of the retailer’s strategic priorities.
Wall Street expects American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO) to report quarterly earnings at US$0.38 per share on revenues of US$960.97 million before the opening bell.
AEO will report after the bell. Shares added 2.43% to US$16.50 in pre-market deals.
Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) shares shed 0.58% tom US$106.60 in pre-market.
The group is said to be nearing a deal to buy most of Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox (NASDAQ:FOXA) with an announcement expected as soon as next week.
Disney is reportedly in advanced talks with Fox to buy its film studio, cable channels, a stake in the Hulu streaming service and international assets, including the Star cable and media company in India and British broadcaster Sky plc (LON:SKY).