U.S. futures rise on E.Z. optimism; Dow Jones up 0.32%

Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open on Friday, as signs of progress in tackling the euro zone's debt crisis lifted market sentiment, while investors eyed the release of U.S. housing data later in the day.

Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.32% rise, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.36% increase, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.49% gain.

Sentiment improved after the Ifo Institute for Economic Research said that its index of German business confidence improved to 104.2 in January, from 102.4 the previous month, beating expectations for a rise to 103.0.

Separately, the ECB said that banks will repay EUR137.159 billion in three-year loans next week, opting to hand back the money early, signalling that a least parts of the financial system are returning to health.

Retailers were expected to be active, after household products giant Procter & Gamble reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts' expectations, sending shares up 1.63% in pre-market trade.

Also among earnings, Honeywell posted earnings and revenue slightly above expectations as the diversified manufacturer grew despite global economic weakness. Shares edged up 0.09% after hours.

In the tech sector, Apple was likely to be once again in the spotlight, after saying that a Chinese labor agent forged documents on behalf of underage workers. The tech giant is currently seeking to improve conditions at suppliers making iPhones, iPads and Macs.

Following the news, Apple shares climbed 0.50% in early trading.

Separately, Korean rival Samsung Electronics chose to keep its annual investment plan unchanged at 2012 levels, as demand for computer chips wanes and the smartphone market slows, according to a Reuters report.

In the same sector, Microsoft tumbled 0.76% pre-market, after fiscal second-quarter earnings declined.

Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were higher. The EURO STOXX 50 advanced 0.79%, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.70%, Germany's DAX jumped 1.28%, while Britain's FTSE 100 added 0.17%.

During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dipped 0.08%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index surged 2.88%.

Later in the day, the U.S. was to release government data on new homes sales.