Futures were lower Friday after Thursday's steep sell off amid continuing worries over a global economic slowdown and as investors cautiously waited for further developments in the euro zone.
Under pressure from investors to show action, finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 economies said they would take all steps needed to calm the stresses wracking the global financial system."We commit to take all necessary actions to preserve the stability of banking systems and financial markets as required," the G20 said in a communique after a dinner meeting that focused on the European debt crisis.
In Europe, Moody's downgraded the ratings of eight Greek banks by two notchesciting a struggling domestic economy and declining deposits among reasons for the move.
Hewlett-Packard named former eBay chief Meg Whitman as its new President and CEO, replacing the harshly criticized Leo Apotheker in a bid to restore investor confidence in the IT giant.
McDonald's announced a quarterly cash dividend increase by almost 15 percent to 70 cents a share.