Intel Pushes Stock Futures Higher

By Stephen Bernard

NEW YORK -- Investors who have been looking for signs the economy is on the mend are pushing stock futures higher in the wake of better-than-expected earnings reports from Intel(INTC Quote) and Goldman Sachs(GS Quote).

The upward move ahead of Wednesday's market opening in New York extends gains in overseas markets.

Chipmaker Intel's strong report after the market closed Tuesday lifted investor confidence. Just as important, Intel's third-quarter sales prediction was bigger than analysts' forecast.

Intel's upbeat report followed strong earnings from Goldman Sachs.

Ahead of the opening bell, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 84, or 1%, at 8,388. S&P 500 index futures were up 11.30, or 1.3%, at 912.70, while Nasdaq 100 index futures gained 26.75, or 1.9%, at 1,473.50.