Stock futures point to higher Wall Street open

[August 20, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Stock futures are pointing to a higher open on Wall Street on renewed expectations of a return to economic growth this year.

U.S. stock index futures are again following the lead of overseas markets. In China, the Shanghai market rebounded from a sharp two-week selloff and the major European indexes are all up more than 1 percent. The markets are rallying around oil prices, which are jumping on signs of improving demand. Oil remains above $72 a barrel.

Stocks have been trading erratically this week as investors, absorbing mixed economic signals, have alternated between optimism and pessimism about a recovery.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 29, or 0.3 percent, at 9,305. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are up 4.10, or 0.4 percent, at 1,001.20, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 4.50, or 0.3 percent, at 1,603.25.

[Associated Press; By IEVA M. AUGSTUMS]

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