By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stock futures pointed to a slightly
higher open on Wall Street on Tuesday, setting the S&P and Dow
up to continue their record runs, with a packed calendar of data
ahead.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJH5) rose 14
points to 17,911, while those for the S&P 500 index (SPH5)
added 0.90 points to 2,073.30. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index
(NDH5) gained 1.25 points to 4,293.00.
The small gains come after U.S. stock markets closed higher on
Monday, a rise fueled by continued hopes that the Federal Reserve
won't be in a rush to raise interest rates.
Data deluge: Tuesday marks the last big data day before
Christmas. First up are durable-goods orders and the third estimate
of third-quarter gross domestic product at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
Economists surveyed by MarketWatch expect GDP growth to be revised
up to 4.4%, from the previous estimate of 3.9%.
At 9 a.m. Eastern, FHFA home prices are out, followed by the
University of Michigan consumer confidence index at 9:55 a.m. The
busy morning ends with readings on personal income, consumer
spending, core inflation and new-home sales, all scheduled for
release at 10 a.m. Eastern.
Stocks to watch: Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) said late Monday
it is selling its metal-warehousing unit to Reuben Brothers.
Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) was also in the spotlight, after news that
its proposed $45 billion merger with Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC)
has run into another delay.
Other markets: European stocks rose for a sixth straight day,
although Greek stocks were mired in the red as the parliament
failed to elect a new president. A third presidential vote is
scheduled for Dec. 29
Asian markets closed in the red. Oil prices were on the rise,
but most metals slumped, with gold futures (GCG5) falling further
below $1,200 an ounce. The dollar (DXY) was also lower.
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