Stock futures point toward higher opening

[September 16, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Stock futures are moderately higher, extending the market's gains ahead of reports on inflation and industrial production and a day after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said the recession was likely over.

Overseas markets are rising following Bernanke's comments.

While Bernanke indicated an end to the recession, investors are still looking for confirmation of renewed growth in the U.S. Reports Wednesday on industrial production and inflation could provide such reassurance.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 42, or 0.4 percent, at 9,704. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are up 4.30, or 0.4 percent, at 1,050.20, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 6.00, or 0.4 percent, at 1,701.00.

[Associated Press; By STEPHEN BERNARD]

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