Spread betting and contracts for differences on U.S. stocks should consider that futures are pointing lower today. Indeed, after yesterday's continuation of Tuesday's low volume rally, investors seem to be pulling back and looking for reasons to sell.

A bit of a correction seems to be the plan for today, with U.S. stock futures indicating a lower open. However, stock futures are only marginally lower, and there are hopes that things could pick up later in the day as investors mull the positive jobs data.

First time jobless claims have dropped by 5,000, falling for the third straight week. This news should help ease some concerns about the stability of the jobs market.

The Fed decided to leave its interest rate at 0.25%, but the policy statement is what has investors really considering the situation right now. The Fed did say that it would still need an extended period of low rates, but the other contents of the statement indicate that maybe things are improving.

Indeed, one of the biggest concerns has been the labour market in the U.S. However, spread betting and contracts for differences should consider that the Fed seems to think that it is stabilising. GFT's Kathy Lien reports in FX360 on what the Fed thinks about the economy:

The Fed now believes that the labor market is stabilizing, which is an upgrade from their prior comment that said the deterioration in the labor market is abating. The central bank no longer thinks that the labor market is weak and only that unemployment is high. They were encouraged that business spending has risen significantly but were concerned that housing starts have been flat. Back in January, they did not mention housing and the return of these concerns following this morning’s weak housing starts number suggests that weather is not only factor hampering housing start - tight credit remains a persistent problem.

Credit is going to have to loosen a bit more for the U.S. to recover better, but it does appear that the employment hurdle is almost got over.

Spread betting and contracts for differences on U.S. stocks should consider that futures are pointing lower today. Concerns are wide ranging this morning, with investors what will happen on a variety of fronts. They are concerned about Chinese policy moves, and anxious about the policy statement expected from the Fed at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on Wednesday.

On top of that, Moody's is hinting that AAA-rated countries U.S., U.K. France and Germany may all experience rating cuts. The U.S. and U.K. are in greatest danger of seeing a debt rating cut.

All of this uncertainty has the bears looking to take charge. Last week's end for the U.S. stock market was rather tepid, with the Dow barely in the black and the Nasdaq and S&P 500 both closing lower. It doesn't look like a promising start to the new week.