By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stock futures pointed to another day in the red ahead of Wednesday's ADP jobs report, which could be watched more closely than usual given the possibility of a June Federal Reserve interest- rate hike.

The Nasdaq (RIXF) looked set to slip further below the psychologically important 5,000 level reached on Monday, with futures (NDH5) off 12 points, or 0.3%, to 4,444.50. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJH5) lost 51 points, or 0.3%, to 18,135, while those for the S&P 500 index (SPH5) gave up 6.90 points, or 0.3%, to 2,097.90.

The losses came after a day in the red on Tuesday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-stocks-futures-retreat-after-nasdaq-breaks-above-5000-2015-03-03), when disappointing monthly car sales dampened investors' spirit.

Data: The big number today will be the ADP employment report. The ADP figures showed 213,000 private-sector jobs were added to the economy in January, and economists forecast 220,000 jobs to have been created in February. The report comes out at 8:15 a.m. Eastern Time.

The ADP reading will give an indication of the strength of the labor market ahead of Friday's jobs report, a monthly highlight that will also be eyed for clues to whether the Fed is likely to pull the trigger on a rate increase in June.

"This Friday's release has gained extra significance as it is the first such figure since Fed Chair [Janet] Yellen highlighted the key role job growth will play in any interest rate hike decision," Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex, said in a note Wednesday.

The dollar strengthened ahead of the ADP report, with the ICE dollar index (DXY) jumping to its highest level in more than 11 years (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dollar-climbs-to-11-year-high-ahead-of-jobs-data-ecb-2015-03-04).

At 10 a.m. Eastern, the ISM nonmanufacturing data for February will be released. Economists polled by MarketWatch expect a slight pullback to 55.9%, from 56.7% in January.

Fed speakers: Chicago Federal Reserve President Charles Evans, who is a voting member this year, will speak on the economic outlook and monetary policy to the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club in Lake Forest, Ill. at 9 a.m. Eastern.

Kansas City Fed President Esther George, who is not a voting member of the Fed this year, will give a speech on the economy in Kansas City at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher, also not a voting member, will reflect on 10 years at the Fed in El Paso, Texas at 7 p.m. Eastern.

The Fed's beige book is schedule at 2 p.m.

Earnings: Clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co.(ANF) dropped 3.1% premarket after reporting fourth-quarter sales below expectations.

Pet-supplies company PetSmart Inc. (PETM) is forecast to post fourth-quarter earnings of $1.36 a share. The stock was up 1.3% ahead of the report.

Trina Solar Ltd.(TSL) initially rose premarket after the solar-panel manufacturer reported earnings ahead of forecasts, but the stock has since reversed to a 0.2% loss.

Movers and shakers: Warren Buffett was in the spotlight again after news that Berkshire Hathaway Inc.(BRK/A) plans a debut euro-bond sale (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-plans-debut-euro-bond-sale-2015-03-04), joining the craze for European bonds amid record low borrowing cost. Last week, Coca-Cola Co. (KO) sold EUR8.5 billion ($9.45 billion) worth of European bonds (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/coca-cola-sells-biggest-ever-us-offer-of-euro-bonds-2015-02-26), the largest euro-denominated bond from an American firm on record and the second-largest by any company in the currency.

Shares of Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.(SWB) surged 11% ahead of the bell after earnings from the firearms manufacturer topped Wall Street estimates (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/smith-wesson-shares-rally-on-earnings-beat-outlook-2015-03-03).

Bob Evans Farms Inc.(BOBE) dived 22% after the restaurant chain late Tuesday reported earnings below expectations (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bob-evans-reports-earnings-miss-2015-03-03) and said it would not pursue a sale or spinoff of BEF Foods. Janney Wednesday morning downgraded the company to neutral from buy.

Shares of Veeva Systems Inc.(VEEV) slumped 12% in premarket trade after the cloud-software company late Tuesday reported fourth-quarter earnings.

U.S. listed shares of Novogen Ltd.(NVGN) rocketed 48% premarket after the Australian biotech said studies show one of its drugs can kill brain-cancer cells.

Shares of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.(BABA) nudged 1% lower ahead of the bell after the online marketplace said it is buying a $382 million stake (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alibaba-buys-stake-in-china-entertainment-company-enlight-media-2015-03-04) in Chinese production company Beijing Enlight Media Co. On Tuesday, the stock took out its all-time low before rebounding slightly at the close.

Honeywell International Inc.(HON) added 1%. The diversified aerospace and industrial company reaffirmed its earnings outlook (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/honeywell-affirms-profit-outlook-for-2015-2015-03-04) for the first quarter and full year.

TiVo Inc.(TIVO) rallied 6.7% after reporting a surge in surge in fourth-quarter profit late Tuesday.

Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) was in the spotlight after projecting higher fuel costs (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/southwest-airlines-predicts-higher-fuel-costs-in-first-quarter-2015-03-04) for the first quarter.

Other markets: European stock markets struggled for direction after a mixed bag of data, while most Asian markets closed in the red (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid). Oil futures climbed (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid) and metals were mostly lower (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid).

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