Stocks in Asia made little progress, and US equity futures fell, hampered by a bleak outlook for corporate profits and caution ahead of a potential Federal Reserve interest-rate hike.

The performance of the MSCI Asian share index was mixed in Japan, China, and Hong Kong. After a choppy US session, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 contracts fell about 0.5%.

Sentiment was dragged down by a drop in retailer Walmart in extended trading on a disappointing profit outlook, which could fuel concerns about corporate prospects as the US flirts with recession amid tightening monetary conditions.

Alibaba has jumped on a plan to seek a primary listing in Hong Kong, allowing Chinese investors to buy its shares directly. The move sparked a rally in a gauge of Chinese technology firms, but the rally quickly faded.

The yield on a 10-Yr Treasury note was 2.78%. Traders are bracing for a wave of debt sales and a widely anticipated 75 basis point Fed rate increase on Wednesday.

The dollar index is nearing its lowest level since early July. Crude oil has risen above $97 per barrel. Bitcoin has dropped to the $21,000 mark.