Stocks set for mixed start

Futures lower as a climb in oil prices remains mostly intact.
March 14, 2006: 6:36 AM EST


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Stocks were headed for a mixed opening Tuesday following as run up in oil prices remained intact.

U.S. stock futures were lower, but after taking fair value into account, it appeared the markets would open mixed.
 

Oil prices held fairly steady early Tuesday after gaining nearly $2 Monday as attention once again turned to the U.S. summer driving season and supply of refined products. U.S. crude for April delivery slipped 18 cents to $61.59 a barrel in electronic trading, while Brent April crude was 13 cents lower at $62.07.

Major markets in Asia closed mostly lower Tuesday, hit by rising oil prices and persist ant fears of interest rate hikes as Japan moves away from its loose monetary system.

Major European markets turned lower, also due to higher oil prices. The exception was London, which gained on takeover talk.

Treasury prices rose, lowering the yield on the benchmark 10-year note to 4.75 percent from 4.79 percent late Friday. The dollar was mixed, falling against the yen but rising on the euro.

In corporate news, sources said cable operator Comcast (Research) is in talks with Disney to buy full control of entertainment channel E!. Currently Comcast owns 60 percent and manages the channel, while Disney (Research) owns 40 percent. Analysts said any deal could be worth around $1 billion.