By Ryan Vlastelica
NEW YORK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures areslightly lower on Monday, with investors finding few reasons toextend a long-running rally that has taken indexes to repeatedrecords amid overseas concerns and few domestic catalysts.
* Equities have risen for five straight weeks, with the S&P500 ending at a record on Friday after a payroll report that wasmuch weaker than expected. While the report pointed to a labormarket that continues to struggle, it also reassured investorsthat the Federal Reserve would not raise interest rates any timesoon, creating an environment that continues to be positive forstocks.
* The S&P 500 briefly fell below its 14-day moving averageon Friday, although the benchmark index rebounded and closedwell above it, a positive sign for near-term momentum. The CBOEVolatility index, a measure of investor anxiety, ishovering near 12, well below its long-term average of 20.
* Central bank policy was also in focus abroad as China'simport growth unexpectedly fell for the second consecutive monthin August, its worst performance in more than a year and stokingspeculation about whether authorities should loosen policyfurther to revive domestic demand.
* The ceasefire struck between Ukrainian government forcesand pro-Russian separatists was largely holding in easternUkraine, although Kiev accused the rebels of sporadic violationsSunday night. A resurgence of violence in the region could spurinvestors to take profits.
* European shares are sharply lower, down 0.8percent, pressured as an opinion poll showed supporters ofScottish independence from Britain taking the lead for the firsttime since the referendum campaign began.
* Analysts and economists have questioned whether anindependent Scotland will be able to host such large banks asLloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland. U.S. shares of Lloyds are down 4.5 percent to$4.59 in premarket trading.
Futures snapshot at 6:54:
* S&P 500 e-minis are falling 3 points, 0.15 percentwith 83,565 contracts changing hands.
* Nasdaq 100 e-minis are down 3.5 points, 0.09percent in volume of 13,592 contracts.
* Dow e-minis are down 27 points, 0.16 percent with13,966 contracts changing hands. (Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)