Stock futures point toward modestly higher open

[September 11, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Stock futures are modestly higher as investors look to extend gains into a sixth straight day.

Most overseas markets were buoyed by strong reports out of China about industrial output, investment, loans and retail sales.

Investors will get readings on U.S. wholesale inventories and sales and consumer sentiment later Friday.

The Commerce Department is expected to report wholesale inventories fell, while sales rose.

The Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index is due out at 9:55 a.m. EDT.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 9, or 0.1 percent, at 9,614. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are up 1.40, or 0.1 percent, at 1,038.80, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 1.00, or 0.1 percent, at 1,683.75.

[Associated Press; By STEPHEN BERNARD]

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