Futures subdued as tech stocks extend fall; Fed minutes awaited

U.S. stock index futures were subdued on Wednesday ahead of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s December meeting, even as big technology stocks continued to fall, with Salesforce.com declining after a brokerage downgrade.
Little Engine No. 1 beat Exxon with just $12.5 mln – sources

Activist investor Engine No. 1 spent roughly $12.5 million to win three board seats at Exxon Mobil Corp(XOM.N), less than half its originalbudget, for the year’s biggest and most closely watched corporate contest, people familiar with the number said.