Stock futures rise slightly after GE results

[July 16, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Stock futures are rising after General Electric became the latest company to report strong earnings and give an upbeat outlook.

GE's results and forecast continue a trend this week in which companies reported sharply higher second-quarter earnings despite slower economic growth. More importantly, GE also expects earnings to continue rising in the coming quarters.

Disappointing reports on regional manufacturing hurt stocks Thursday and investors will again get key readings on the recovery later Friday when a report on consumer sentiment is released.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 18, or 0.2 percent, to 10,310. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are up 3.30, or 0.3 percent, to 1,093.70, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 4.00, or 0.2 percent, to 1,853.25.

[Associated Press; By STEPHEN BERNARD]

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