Modest Gains in U.S. Stock Futures

By Stephen Bernard

NEW YORK -- Stock futures were modestly higher as investors await key earnings reports and new data on retail sales and inflation.

Overseas markets rose Tuesday, following U.S. gains a day earlier, amid optimism about improvements in the banking sector and hopes for an economic recovery.

U.S. markets rallied Monday after a respected banking analyst upgraded her view on Goldman Sachs(GS Quote). Investors will have a chance Tuesday to see if her optimism is accurate as Goldman reports second-quarter earnings.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 20, or 0.2%, at 8,279. S&P 500 index futures were up 2.00, or 0.2%, at 897.60, while Nasdaq 100 index futures were up 2.75, or 0.2%, at 1,445.25.