* S&P 500 could break resistance at the open
* Miners on focus as gold hits record high, silver up
* German industrial orders rise far beyond expectations
* Futures up: Dow 64 pts, S&P 8 pts, Nasdaq 20 pts
* For up-to-the-minute market news see [STXNEWS/US] (Updates prices, adds comment, byline)
By Rodrigo Campos
NEW YORK, April 6 (Reuters) - Futures on the S&P 500 hit their highest level in more than a month on Wednesday as investors bet the upcoming earnings season and more merger activity will continue to lift equities higher.
The S&P 500 struggled for a third day on Tuesday to close above a key resistance level at 1,333, but futures pointed to a pop at the open that could bring more buyers on expectations of a technical breakout.
"We bumped up with resistance and are getting a little bit of consolidation, but once we get through this earnings season, we'll continue to move higher," said Robert Pavlik, chief market strategist at Banyan Partners LLC in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. "I still think there's plenty of room to go higher."
He said the cash war chest held by major corporations will continue to fuel mergers and acquisitions as well as share buybacks, supporting further gains in stocks.
Miner shares could see increased interest as gold prices rallied to record highs against a backdrop of a weaker U.S. dollar and investor worries over inflation and unrest in North Africa and the Middle East. Silver touched a fresh 31-year peak. [ID:nL9E7EL002].
Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold
Broadcom Corp
S&P 500 futures
Purchases of major items sent German industrial orders soaring above expectations in February, data showed on Wednesday, in a sign Europe's largest economy was further outshining its peers. Orders grew by 2.4 percent on the month, compared to the Reuters forecast for an increase of 0.6 percent. [ID:nLDE7350XH].
The euro rose to a 14-month high against the U.S. dollar, ahead of an expected interest rate rise by the European Central Bank on Thursday. Traders also cited buying by Asian central banks.
With a U.S. government shutdown looming, congressional negotiators will meet again on Wednesday and could be called to the White House for a second meeting to search for a deal on federal budget cuts. [ID:nN05158193]
On Tuesday, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX>, Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> and Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> ended little changed. (Reporting by Rodrigo Campos; Editing by Kenneth Barry)