Stocks Seen Flat; Verizon-MCI Deal Eyed NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S stock futures pointed to a flat market open on Monday, with investors focused on local telephone company Verizon Communications Inc.'s (VZ.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) acquisition of long-distance carrier MCI Inc. (MCIP.O: Quote , Profile , Research ) . Verizon clinched the deal to buy MCI for $5.3 billion, outflanking rival Qwest Communications International Inc. (Q.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) . "Mergers are a statement of the solid backdrop for company earnings and is a supportive feature for the market," said Mike Lenhoff, chief strategist at Brewin Dolphin Securities Ltd. "But we had a jolly good finish last week and so we may be due for a breather with the overall thrust of the reporting season behind us." S&P 500 futures (SPH5: Quote , Profile , Research ) fell 0.40 of a point, slightly above fair value accounting for interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial index futures (DJH5: Quote , Profile , Research ) were down 3 points, while Nasdaq 100 (NDH5: Quote , Profile , Research ) futures slipped a point. In other merger news, Blockbuster Inc.'s (BBI.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) hostile offer to acquire Hollywood Entertainment Corp. (HLYW.O: Quote , Profile , Research ) is facing increasing opposition from antitrust enforcers, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. Motorola Inc. (MOT.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) will be watched following the handset maker's announcement that it will enter emerging markets with ultra low-cost mobile phones aimed at 3 billion consumers who cannot yet afford to make wireless calls. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (JCP.N: Quote , Profile , Research ) is planning to launch two moderately priced, casual women's clothing lines to target middle-income women aged 35 to 54. U.S. stocks rose on Friday, with the Dow and S&P carving out 2005 highs as the mood toward technology brightened, helped by Apple Computer Inc.'s (AAPL.O: Quote , Profile , Research ) announcement of a stock split. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 46.40 points, or 0.43 percent, to 10,796.01. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 8.29 points, or 0.69 percent, at 1,205.30. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 23.56 points, or 1.15 percent, at 2,076.66. Quelle "Stocks Seen Flat; Verizon-MCI Deal Eyed" : reuters.com Main page for "Stocks Seen Flat; Verizon-MCI Deal Eyed"