The big story in pre-market news was about oil. Canadian group Encana Corp (NYSE:ECA) told investors it was to buy Newfield Exploration Co (NYSE:NFX) for a cool $5.5 billion.
The all paper deal will make the canada giant one of the largest shale oil producers in North America.
Encana will assume $2.2 billion of Newfield net debt and the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019.
Encana will get greater access to the Anadarko basin as well as the Permian and Montney areas and said liquids production will contribute over half of the combined company's production.
Encana shares fell 15% to $8.70 in pre-market, while shares in Newfield Exploration Co surged nearly 7% before the New York bell.
Elsewhere, General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) zoomed into view again after results yesterday, with shares down a tad - 0.25%.
Today's news is that following the solid numbers, the group is offering company buyouts to tens of thousands of salaried workers - part of an ongoing effort to cut costs.
The exit packages are being offered to around 18,000 of the car giant's 50,000 white-collar employees in North America, who have until November 19 to decide.
Streaming firm Spotify Technology (NYSE:SPOT) saw shares shed 3.79% to $144.02 in New York as it reported third-quarter profit of $50 million, or $0.27 per share - beating Wall Street analysts' expectations.
The average estimate of 11 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of $0.51 per share.
Last but not least, tech behemoth Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) was in focus as shares nudged up 0.70% to $220.38 ahead of closely watched fourth quarter numbers after the bell.
Tech stocks suffered badly last month but Apple managed to come through in the best shape, so this will be the latest test.
Wall Street analysts are expecting the tech group to report revenue of $61.57 billion and earnings per share of $2.78