Submitted by Fox First at Ten on December 10th
NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. futures are lower after the surprise resignation of Italy's prime minister sent a jolt through European markets.
A strong sales report from McDonald's lifted futures off earlier lows, however.
Dow Jones industrial futures are down 1 point to 13,142. The broader S&P futures have given up 1 point to 1,415. Nasdaq futures are down 4.25 points to 2,631.75.
The announcement by Prime Minister Mario Monti, credited with restoring confidence in Italy's rattled economy, was a complete surprise.
Monti says he can't lead the country after former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's party dropped its support.
Markets in Italy, Britain, Germany and France are down.
McDonald's said Monday that comparable store sales rose 2.4 percent in November, just one month after it posted its first monthly decline in nearly a decade.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
