The Return Of M&A

Good morning. Futures are lower as weakness in overseas markets and strength in the U.S. dollar cause sell pressure in premarket trading. However, futures are off their lows as the return of M&A activity lead by Warren Buffett's big buy of Burlington Northern at a 30% premium, news that Stanley Works will Black & Decker and Peet's Coffee's purchase of Diedrich has helped restore bullish sentiment.

Beyond this morning's M&A and this morning's earnings reports, other headlines include disappointing retail store sales, an increase in business bankruptcy filings, Australia's central bank raises rates again, Johnson & Johnson says it will cut up to 7% of its workforce in restructuring and more concerns over U.S. commercial real estate.

Read more of my premarket report.