* Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average DJc2, the Nasdaq 100 NDc2 and the S&P 500 SPc2 share indexes are up 0.3-0.6 percent, pointing to a higher start on Wall Street on Friday.
* U.S. international trade data for January is scheduled to be released at 1230 GMT. The trade gap is forecast at $38.0 billion in January, after a deficit of $39.9 billion in December.
* The Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers preliminary March consumer sentiment index, due at 1355 GMT, is forecast at 55.0 in March, against February's final reading of 56.3.
* Boeing (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the world's second-largest airplane maker, is due to release its proxy statement. The company has been plagued by order cancellations amid economic recession and delays to its 787 Dreamliner program.
* Clothing retailer American Apparel Inc (APP.A: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is near a deal to sell a 20 percent stake to British private equity firm Lion Capital for about $80 million, the New York Times said, citing people involved in the deal. The deal is expected to be announced Friday. [ID:nBNG350612]
* U.S. stocks rose for a third day on Thursday on relief that a ratings cut by S&P in General Electric was just one notch and that no further cuts loomed, while retail sales data showed some stabilization in consumer spending. (Reporting by Atul Prakash; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
