Markets were slow to gain traction early today, according to the Associated Press. Futures for the S&P 500 gained 0.2% before the bell, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were unchanged.
Chesapeake Energy announced it was combining with Southwestern Energy to form the biggest natural gas producer in the U.S. Both stocks retreated slightly in premarket trading. On Friday, when initial reports of the deal surfaced, Southwestern shares closed more than 7% higher.
Benchmark U.S. crude oil added $1.33 to $72.70 per barrel early today. Brent crude, the international standard, also picked up $1.33 to $78.13 a barrel.
The U.S. dollar slipped to 145.42 Japanese yen from 145.76 yen.
