Stocks gave up some gains after a report showed the US trade deficit edged higher, but are poised for a mild rebound at the start Tuesday, with investors dipping back into stock index futures following Monday's sharp declines.
A government report showed the US trade deficit growing to $27.6 billion, somewhat lower than expected and raising concerns about consumer weakness reflected in decreasing demand for foreign goods.
Banks again were in focus as major institutions reacted to stress test results released last week.
Citigroup shares rose 2 percent in premarket trading after saying it was using $45 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds to make new loans.
Bank of America gained more than 1 percent following its announcement it will sell $7.3 billion of its stake in China Construction Bank.
Large banks were mostly higher, though a few struggled early.
Bank of New York Mellon slipped 2.2 percent after raising $1.2 billion in new shares at $28.75. The drop in premarket trading, though, mostly reflected the offering price.
Also, US Bancorp shares fell nearly 3 percent after the company filed a prospectus with the Securities and Exchange commission saying it planned to sell up to $1 billion in senior notes but did not detail how it planned to use the money.
Outside the sector, Ford Motor shares fell more than 4 percent afuter the automaker said it will sell 300 million common shares, in part to raise cash to pay off health-care obligations.