U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Tuesday, as investors remained cautious ahead of announcements due later this week from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank (ECB).
Market participants will look for hints of further stimulus measures to spur growth and are hoping the ECB will start buying Italian and Spanish bonds to keep yields down. The ECB's policy decision is due on Thursday, while the Federal Reserve's policy decision is out on Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. New York time.
Economic data out in the U.S. on Tuesday includes the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index at 9:00 a.m. New York time. Analysts polled by Briefing.com forecast the Case-Shiller index will show a 1.8 percent drop in year-on-year home prices for May, versus a 1.9 percent fall in April.
The Labor Department will release its Employment Cost Index for the second quarter at 8:30 a.m. The index, which tracks wages and salaries, rose by 0.4 percent in first quarter 2012. Analysts polled by Briefing.com foresee a rise of 0.5 percent for second quarter 2012.
Personal income and spending data for June will also be issued at 8:30 a.m. Analysts polled by Briefing.com predict a 0.4 percent rise income and a 0.1 percent rise in spending. In May, personal income rose by 0.2 percent, while personal spending remained steady.
The Chicago Purchasing Managers Index of manufacturing activity will issue results for July at 10:00 a.m. Analysts polled by Briefing.com expect the index to fall from 52.9 to 52.5. |
发表于 2012-7-31 08:24
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发表于 2012-7-31 16:17
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