Stocks were slightly lower on Wednesday as concerns over a possible debt default by the United States continued to weigh on investor sentiment.

* A Republican plan to cut the deficit stiff opposition, piling anxiety onto investors and ordinary Americans hoping to avoid a default.

* Even if a default is avoided, a plan that flinches from hefty deficit cuts could result in a downgrade of the U.S. government's triple-A rating and raise borrowing costs, dealing a severe blow to the economic recovery.

* Credit Suisse strategists see a 50 percent chance of a credit ratings downgrade on U.S. debt, even if the ceiling is raised as key decisions on fiscal tightening are delayed until after the 2012 elections.

* Financial stocks were in focus after European banks such as Societe General and Banco Santander fell after a downgrade by Goldman Sachs. The brokerage cut the banks to neutral from overweight, saying doubts over a Greece rescue package have started to emerge.

* Gold prices hit another record high at more than $1,623 an ounce, while the cost of insuring U.S. debt against a default in the next year hit a new high, according to data monitor Markit.

S&P 500 futures fell 1.4 points and were below fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures were down 4 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures dipped 3.25 points.

* Dunkin' Brands Group Inc has raised $422.75 million after pricing its IPO at $19 per share, well above the range set by underwriters.

* Amazon.com Inc reported a surge in quarterly revenue late Tuesday, but profits slipped as the largest Internet retailer kept spending on distribution, technology and digital content. The stock was up 6 percent at $227.00 in premarket trade.

* Boeing Co , Dow Chemical Co , WellPoint Inc and General Dynamics Corp all reported quarterly results early Wednesday.

* Investors also awaited earnings from ConocoPhillips , Northrop Grumman Corp and Visa Inc .

* On the macroeconomic front, the market waited for June durable goods orders. Economists in a Reuters survey saw a rise in orders of 0.3 percent versus a 2.1 percent increase in May.

* The stalemate in U.S. debt talks dragged down stocks for a second day on Tuesday, and light volume indicated that investors were reluctant to make bets despite another round of healthy earnings.

(Reporting by Angela Moon; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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