U.S. Stock-Index Futures Rise; Ford, Merrill Lynch Shares Gain in Europe

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures climbed as
investors speculated last week's losses may have been
exaggerated.

Ford Motor Co. advanced in Europe after the London Times
reported that Jacques Nasser, the company's former chief
executive officer, may visit the Land Rover and Jaguar factories
in the U.K. as part of an attempt to buy the brands. Merrill
Lynch & Co. gained after UBS AG recommended buying shares of the
third-largest U.S. securities firm.


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Yen Rises as Stocks Decline, Prompting Unwinding of Carry Trades

(Bloomberg) -- The yen rose to the highest in a
month against the euro and gained versus the dollar as declines
in European stocks and U.S. stock-index futures prompted
investors to unwind carry trades.

The Japanese currency rose to 164.83 per euro as of 7:08
a.m. in New York, from 165.34 late yesterday. It also rose to
120.16 against the dollar, from 120.50, approaching a 2 1/2-month
high of 119.81 reached July 25.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Advance on Earnings; Amazon, Boeing Shares Gain

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures rose after
profits that topped analysts' estimates at Boeing Co. and
Amazon.com helped assuage concerns that sent equities to their
worst drop in four months.

Amazon, the world's biggest online retailer, rallied on
earnings that nearly tripled due to curbed technology spending.
Boeing, the second-largest commercial-jet maker, gained after
it said it delivered on more airliners.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Rise on Earnings; IBM, Bank of America Advance

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures gained
after Bank of America Corp. and International Business Machines
Corp. reported earnings that topped analysts' forecasts.

Bank of America, the second-largest U.S. bank, rose after
posting 5.2 percent profit growth. IBM, the world's biggest
provider of computer services, climbed after saying software
acquisitions boosted results.


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U.S. Stock Futures Advance on Earnings; Merrill, Coca-Cola Gain

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures rose after
Merrill Lynch & Co., Coca-Cola Co. and Johnson & Johnson reported
second-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates.

Merrill Lynch, the third-biggest U.S. securities firm,
climbed after saying higher trading revenue and investment-
banking fees increased earnings. Coca-Cola, the largest soft-
drink maker, advanced after earnings were boosted by sales in
Europe and Japan. J&J, the biggest maker of health-care products,
also gained.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Advance; Citigroup, Lexicon Advance in Europe

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures gained on
speculation that a home-sales report today will show signs the
housing market may be improving.

Citigroup Inc. advanced in Europe after the South China
Morning Post said the biggest U.S. bank is targeting 13 percent
growth in revenue from its Hong Kong operations. Lexicon
Pharmaceuticals Inc. climbed after saying preclinical research
showed its experimental antibodies may treat heart disease.


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U.S. Stock Futures Fall on Rising Oil, Mortgage Concern; Citigroup Slips

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures fell after
oil approached $70 a barrel and concern spread that losses in
mortgage securities will reduce profits at financial firms.

Citigroup Inc., American International Group Inc. and
JPMorgan Chase & Co. declined in Europe. Home Depot Inc., the
largest home-improvement chain, and Nokia Oyj, the biggest
mobile-phone maker, slipped after analysts cut their
recommendations on the shares.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Are Little Changed; Yahoo Gains, Microchip Falls

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures were little
changed before a housing report that may show the real-estate
slump will continue to weigh on economic growth.

Yahoo! Inc. climbed in Europe after the owner of the
country's most-visited Web site said Chief Executive Officer
Terry Semel stepped down and was replaced by co-founder Jerry
Yang. Exxon Mobil Corp. gained as oil traded near a nine-month
high.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Gain on Acquisitions; Alcoa, Gilead Shares Rise

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures rose after a
report that BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's largest mining
company, may bid for Alcoa Inc., the No. 1 aluminum maker.

Shares of Alcoa jumped in Europe after the London-based
Times said BHP may consider a $40 billion takeover. Chicago Board
of Trade gained after shareholders of the second-largest futures
market were told they may get better offers from two suitors.


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U.S. Stock Futures Rise on Report CBOT Bid Will Be Boosted; Exxon Gains

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures rose after
a report said Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. will
raise its bid for CBOT Holdings Inc. and as investors awaited a
report that may show wholesale inflation decreased last month.

CBOT, operator of the Chicago Board of Trade, gained in
trading in German after the Wall Street Journal reported that
the biggest U.S. futures market plans to boost the value of its
$10 billion offer. Exxon Mobil Corp., the largest oil producer,
advanced after oil prices rose.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Decline; Caterpillar, Alcoa Shares Fall in Europe

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures dropped
before economic reports later this week that may provide clues
about the Federal Reserve's next move on interest rates.

Caterpillar Inc., the world's biggest maker of earthmoving
equipment, and Alcoa Inc., the second-largest aluminum producer,
declined. Shares of Boeing Co. climbed in Europe after the
world's second-largest maker of commercial aircraft won an order
valued at about $3 billion from OAO Aeroflot.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Advance After Core Inflation, Housing Starts Data

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures advanced after government data showed inflation and the housing slump are easing and earnings beat analysts' estimates.

Coca-Cola Co., the world's largest soft-drink maker, rose after its biggest sales gain in at least nine years boosted first-quarter net income. Wells Fargo & Co. climbed after posting a record profit on borrowing by businesses.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Decline; IBM and Yahoo Retreat Before Earnings

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures dropped before a report that may show consumer prices in the country rose the most in almost a year, fueling concern the Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates.

International Business Machines Corp., the world's largest computer-services company, and Yahoo! Inc., the owner of the most-visited U.S. Web site, declined before reporting first- quarter earnings.


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