The S&P 500 logged a marginal loss in 2015, while the Dow posted its first annual decline since 2008, falling 2.23%. Only Nasdaq finished the year in the black, gaining 5.73%.

Investors will assess U.S. economic data as they watch for the Federal Reserve's next move. The central bank last month raised interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade.

The index of national factory activity is expected to have risen in December, according to the Institute for Supply Management. The data is due at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Netflix was down 6% at $107.42 after Baird cut its rating on the stock to "neutral."

Baxalta was up 3% at $40.20 as a buyout from UK drugmaker Shire loomed closer.

Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by 2,501 to 296. On the Nasdaq, 2,130 issues fell and 351 advanced.

The S&P 500 index showed no new 52-week highs and seven new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded six new highs and 34 new lows.