This week could be very telling in what to expect from the markets in the first quarter and the rest of 2014 as a number of important companies report Q4 and 2013 year-end earnings. Today brought in some stock moving releases from Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), Apple Inc. (AAPL), Seagate Technology (STX).

CAT reported better-than-expected earnings before the market opened along with a $10 billion buyback program. 

Despite a positive Factory Orders report of 1.8% compared to an expected 1.6% and last month’s drop of 0.5%, the market opened up briefly; however, light volume gave way to selling pressure caused by a slightly negative ISM Services Report of 53.0, less than last month’s 53.9 and an expected 54.8 reading. All major markets closed slightly lower, making for the third consecutive low-volume, negative market day to open 2014.