* Weakness expected as Q2 earnings season begins
* Google to launch operating system
* Futures up: Dow 5 pts; S&P 500 2.4 pts; Nasdaq 4.5 pts
NEW YORK, July 8 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wednesday, following steep losses the previous session, but anxiety over the start of the earnings season dampened optimism.
* Alcoa Inc kicks off the second-quarter earnings season, and is expected to report its third consecutive quarterly loss after markets close. Slumping demand for aluminum has taken a toll, and investors will look for signs that capacity cuts will enable it to ride out the downturn.
* Google Inc plans a direct attack on Microsoft Corp's core business by taking on the software giant's globally dominant Windows operating system for personal computers. Google said Tuesday it will launch Google Chrome, a new operating system initially targeted at netbooks, in the second half of 2010.
* New York crude futures fell 0.6 percent and was headed to its sixth straight negative session.
* Leaders of the Group of Eight richest nations and the major developing powers are gathering for a three-day summit in Italy.
* S&P 500 futures rose 2.4 points and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures climbed 5 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures added 4.5 points.
* The Federal Reserve is due to issue May consumer credit figures at 3 p.m. EDT. Economists surveyed by Reuters forecast consumer credit falling $9.5 billion versus a $15.68 billion decrease in April.
* 3M Co shares rose 2.8 percent to $60.38 in extended trade on Tuesday after the diversified manufacturer said it settled a shareholder derivative lawsuit.
* U.S. stocks fell to their lowest level in 10 weeks on Tuesday as talk of a second government stimulus plan heightened fears that the economy was not yet on the path to recovery and corporate earnings for the second quarter would be weak.