Stock index futures rose modestly early Tuesday, ahead of reports on housing and consumer confidence.
S&P 500 futures rose 2.10 points and were above fair value. Dow futures gained 15 points. Nasdaq 100 futures added 5.5 points.
The January S&P/Case-Shiller home price index is due at 9:00 a.m. EDT. Economists expect a dip of 0.6% for the month, an improvement on the 3.1% decline in December. The index measures prices in 20 major metropolitan markets.
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index is scheduled for release at 10 a.m. EDT. Economists expect a reading of 51 for March, up from 46 in February. A reading above 90 means the economy is on solid footing.
According to news reports, Apple (AAPL) is said to be developing a CDMA-compatible iPhone that would work mobile carrier Verizon Communications (VZ) network. Verizon shares rose more than 4% in the in pre-market, while Apple shares gained around 2%.
McDonald's (MCD) said it expects to have more than 2,000 stores in mainland China by the end of 2013 and forecast a strong first quarter for same-store sales in its Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions.
Elsewhere, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell to 3.86% early Tuesday from 3.87% late Monday. The dollar was mixed against other major currencies. Gold and oil both traded in a narrow range.
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 1.01%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.65%. In afternoon trading, Britain's FTSE 100 declined 0.03%. Germany's DAX index gained 0.04% and France's CAC-40 advanced 0.14%.
