Markets

U.S. stock index futures shaved their early gains following a weaker-than-expected durable goods orders report and as Apple shares weighed.

On the economic front, durable goods orders tumbled 5.7 percent in March, logging their steepest drop in seven months, according to the Commerce Department. Economists polled by Reuters had expected orders to slip 2.8 percent from a previously reported 5.6 percent increase. 

Excluding transportation, orders declined 1.4 percent after falling 1.7 percent the prior month.

Traders also had time to digest Apple earnings, which beat on the top and bottom lines but sparked concerns over margins. The company posted earnings of $10.09, better than estimates and enough to send shares up initially. But sentiment shifted during the company's conference call, sending shares lower.