Stock futures are mixed in light trading with attention riveted on the latest U.S. jobs report, a final glimpse at the nation's employment landscape before the presidential election.
The economy outweighs just about every other issue but with only a few days until the election, it may take a shocking number to influence votes.
Dow Jones industrial futures are down 4 points to 13,161. The broader S&P futures are up 0.3 points to 1,423.50. Nasdaq futures have slipped 0.25 points to 2,684.50.
Most expect the employment report Friday to corroborate a fairly clear picture of a painfully slow recovery in which companies are hiring only cautiously.
Economists forecast that employers added 121,000 jobs in October, and that the unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent from 7.8 percent in September.
