Sock futures fall after Apple, Amazon results; GDP eyed
Stock index futures fell on Friday after technology giants Apple and Amazon.com reported lackluster earnings and outlooks, and ahead of economic growth data.
* Apple Inc shed 0.1 percent to $608.99 in premarket trading after the world's largest company by market capitalization delivered a second straight quarter of disappointing results and iPad sales fell well short of analysts' targets. The company also forecast revenue and margins below Wall Street forecasts.
* Amazon.com Inc dropped 1.6 percent to $219.47 in premarket trading after posting its first quarterly net loss in more than five years. It forecast fourth-quarter revenue that fell short of analysts' expectations.
* Dean Foods Co's gained 1.7 percent to $19.11 in light premarket trade as its Morningstar business has attracted takeover interest from Michael Foods and Mexican dairy company Grupo Lala, people familiar with the matter said, in a deal that could be valued in the $1 billion to $1.5 billion range.
* Newell Rubbermaid Inc reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit and raised its quarterly dividend by 50 percent to 15 cents a share but also said it would cut about 2,000 jobs over the next 2 1/2 years as it attempts to combat slower sales.
* European equity markets eased, weighed down by a fresh batch of gloomy corporate outlooks, as the euro zone crisis put a dent in demand for everything from cars to building materials.
(Editing by Bernadette Baum)