Credit: Shutterstock photoU.S. stock futures are up slightly before the bell today as European markets edge higher and investors await economic data.
Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq point to gains of less than 0.3 percent. That follows a mixed session yesterday, when financials lead the markets higher while most other sectors lagged.
The dollar is falling against the euro, providing a positive backdrop for gold and oil prices. Japan also reported that strong Asian demand caused industrial production to rise for the first time in six months, supporting the perception that the global economy continues to improve.
China also cut its export quotas for rare earth elements, which could fuel bullishness in some mining companies.
Today's economy data includes the Case-Shiller home price index at 9 a.m. ET and consumer confidence for December at 10 a.m. ET. Economists expect another slight decline for home prices, while consumer confidence is forecast to increase to 56 from 54.1 in November.
There are no important earnings announcements scheduled for today.
(Chart courtesy of tradeMONSTER)
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
