US futures rise ahead of auto sales data
US stock futures rise ahead of data on auto sales, factory orders
NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stock futures are rising in anticipation that automakers will post strong sales for March.
Dow Jones industrial futures added 59 points to 14,548. S&P 500 futures gained 7.10 points to 1,563. Nasdaq futures jumped 19.25 points to 2,807.25.
U.S. car and truck sales are expected to have hit their highest level in nearly six years in March, thanks to tax refund checks, low interest rates and appealing new vehicles. Auto companies report sales figures throughout the day Tuesday.
Meanwhile, economists expect the government will report that orders to U.S. factories showed a gain of 1.8 percent in February after a 2 percent decline in January when volatile aircraft and defense orders dropped.
European markets resumed trading after the long Easter holiday weekend and moved higher. Asian markets ended mixed.
