Stock futures rise ahead of US economic data

[December 01, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stock index futures are following European markets higher ahead of the release of several economic reports.

November figures for auto sales, manufacturing activity and private sector employment are all coming out later Wednesday. The Federal Reserve will also put out its report on regional economic activity.

Stocks are rising in Europe after a better than expected auction of Portuguese bonds. Investors have feared that Portugal will be the next country to require a bailout by the European Union. The euro rose 0.9 percent.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 121, or 1.1 percent, to 11,117. S&P 500 futures are up 14, or 1.2 percent, to 1,194. Nasdaq 100 futures are up 21, or 1 percent, to 2,138.

[Associated Press; By DAVID K. RANDALL]

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