U.S. stocks look for direction

U.S. stocks are flat at the start as oil prices slip back after recent gains. The S&P 500 is up 0.07%, while the Dow is up 0.02%. Asian stocks finished mixed Tuesday as investors there largely shrug off Italian voters' rejection of constitutional changes. The Shanghai was down 0.16% and the Nikkei was up 0.47%. In Europe, markets are higher as banking shares show strength. The FTSE is up 0.17%, and the DAX is up 0.17%. Energy futures are mixed this morning. The price for West Texas Intermediate crude oil is down $1.00 to $50.79 per barrel, while natural gas is up $0.04 to $3.70. Metals prices are mixed. Gold is down $2.70 to $1,173.80 per ounce and platinum is up 9.20 to $947.90. The Dollar is up  versus the Euro and the Yen. IntraLinks Holdings, Inc. (IL),Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (SAGE),and Depomed, Inc.     (DEPO) are early risers, while Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (LXRX),Stone Energy Corporation (SGY),and The Michaels Companies, Inc. (MIK) are down. [InvestorsKeyhole, various news and data sources]