Stocks Seen Flat as Bush Rally Fades By Michael Flaherty NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures trimmed losses on Thursday after weekly jobless claims data, but stocks still were seen opening flat as the rally fueled by President Bush's re-election wore off. Technology stocks were under pressure after Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM.O: Quote , Profile , Research ) shares fell 3.6 percent before the bell. The wireless technology company late on Wednesday set an earnings target below Wall Street's expectations. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) said third-quarter sales lagged its own plan, but earnings will be at the high end of its forecast. Discount retailer Target Corp. (TGT.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) said same-store sales in October were at the top of its forecast range. Alcan Inc. (AL.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) (AL.TO: Quote , Profile , Research ) , the world's second-largest primary aluminum maker, said third-quarter profit rose on higher aluminum prices and shipments. S&P 500 futures were down 1 point, slightly above fair value accounting for interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial index futures fell 6 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures slid 6 points. "Yesterday was a great party. Today is the day after," said Arthur Hogan, chief market analyst at Jefferies & Co. Hogan said the market is back to focusing on rising oil prices and the weakening dollar. U.S. light crude (CLc1: Quote , Profile , Research ) fell 6 cents to $50.82 a barrel overnight after briefly dipping below $49 on Wednesday. The latest weekly U.S. inventory data showed a rise in crude, but winter supply worries loom. The dollar hit 8-1/2 month lows versus the euro due to worries over the growing U.S. current account deficit. A lower greenback can help U.S. corporate profits, but a steady decline can reduce demand for U.S. assets by eroding returns for international investors. Shares of Digene Corp. (DIGE.O: Quote , Profile , Research ) , which makes a test to detect cervical cancer, fell 24 percent a day after it reported a loss for its fiscal first-quarter and said earnings for the year will fall short of estimates. Casino and racetrack operator Penn National Gaming Inc. (PENN.O: Quote , Profile , Research ) on Wednesday said it would acquire riverboat gambling company Argosy Gaming Co. (AGY.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) in a $1.4 billion cash deal, sending Argosy shares up 11 percent before the bell.     Continued ... Quelle "Stocks Seen Flat as Bush Rally Fades" : reuters.com Main page for "Stocks Seen Flat as Bush Rally Fades"