U.S. stocks headed for a lower opening on Friday after a weak manufacturing report stirred concerns of a further economic slowdown.
The New York Federal Reserve said its Empire State Manufacturing Survey indicated that conditions have deteriorated this month.
The reading fell nearly 21 points to negative 11.7 _ the first negative reading since May 2005. Analysts had forecast a decline of 6.5 percent for the February number, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
