US STOCKS-Futures ease from all-time highs as virus cases surge

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* Futures down: Dow 0.65%, S&P 0.56%, Nasdaq 0.40%

By Medha Singh
Jan 11 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures slipped from
record levels on Monday, as investors assessed a surge in
coronavirus cases and faltering economic indicators following a
solid run on hopes of more fiscal stimulus.
Global infections surpassed 90 million and several health
experts said the rollout of vaccines in many countries will not
provide herd immunity from the pandemic this year, citing
limited access for poor countries, community trust problems and
potential virus mutations. After official data pointed to a significant slowdown in
labor market recovery on Friday, investors will focus on
inflation, retail sales and consumer sentiment indicators this
week to gauge the extent of economic damage.
Bets on a rebound in business activity in 2021 fueled by
vaccine rollouts, larger checks and infrastructure spending
under U.S. President-elect Joe Biden have underpinned Wall
Street's rise to recent peaks.
Fourth-quarter results from JP Morgan JPM.N , Citi C.N
and Wells Fargo WFC.N on Friday will kick-off the earnings
season, which could offer more clues on if company executives
reflect the enthusiasm of a rebound in 2021 earnings and the
economy. At 06:17 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis 1YMcv1 were down 203 points,
or 0.65% and S&P 500 E-minis EScv1 were down 21.5 points, or
0.56%. Nasdaq 100 E-minis NQcv1 were down 52.75 points, or
0.4%.
Later in the day, U.S. House of Representatives Democrats
plan a vote to urge Vice President Mike Pence to take steps to
remove President Donald Trump from office after his supporters'
deadly storming of the Capitol, before attempting to impeach him
again. Twitter's shares TWTR.N slumped 6% premarket after it
permanently suspended U.S. President Donald Trump's account late
on Friday.
U.S.-listed shares of Baidu Inc BIDU.O rose 6% after the
Chinese search engine giant said it will set up a company to
partner with carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to make smart
electric vehicles (EV).