Stock futures point toward higher opening

[December 22, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Stock futures pointed to a higher opening as investors place bets that new data on economic output and housing sales will show the economy is continuing to recover.

The U.S. government is expected to say its economy grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the third quarter, matching a previous estimate. A separate report is expected to show sales of existing homes rose to their highest level in nearly three years.

Overseas markets rallied Tuesday after Britain said its economy didn't shrink as much as previously thought in the third quarter.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 35, or 0.3 percent, at 10,377. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are up 4.10, or 0.4 percent, at 1,112.30, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 10.75, or 0.6 percent, at 1,836.25.

[Associated Press; By STEPHEN BERNARD]

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