Fewer states reported unemployment-rate increases in September than the previous four months, signaling a turning point may be near, according to a government report Wednesday.

Stocks retreated Tuesday after several earnings reports beat expectations but economic numbers missed their targets.  The Dow shed more than 50 points, or 0.5 percent, but still held above 10,000. The S&P and Nasdaq each lost about 0.6 percent.

Stocks retreated Tuesday after several earnings reports beat expectations but economic numbers missed their targets.  Apple and Caterpillar surged after their earnings blew past forecasts.

Futures were poised for a modestly higher open on the strength of more earnings surprises from some of Wall Street's leading companies.