Stocks Point Higher Before Economic Reports

NEW YORK  – Stocks are pointed to early gains ahead of
reports on home prices and consumer confidence that could bring
further signs that the economy is improving.

The Conference Board is expected to announce that consumers are
feeling more confident about the economy for the third straight
month. Analysts expect the index to rise to 55.8 in December. That
would be an improvement over November, but still far below the
reading of 90 that indicates a healthy economy.

Also on Tuesday morning, Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller will
issue its 20-city monthly index of home prices for October.

Ahead of the opening bell, Dow Jones industrial average futures
are up 9 points, or 0.1 percent, to 11,524. S&P 500 futures are up
3, or 0.2 percent, to 1,256. Nasdaq composite futures are up 4, or
0.2 percent, to 2,234.