US Stock Futures Slightly Higher Ahead Of Economic Data

US stock futures are slightly higher this morning. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 3 points to 14,751.00 and S&P 500 index futures rose 2 points to 1,594.20. Nasdaq 100 futures gained 3.75 points to 2,883.75. US stocks closed higher on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.14% to 14,839.80, the S&P 500 index jumping 0.25% to 1,597.57 and the Nasdaq 100 index rising 0.66% to 3,328.79. Data on motor vehicles sales for April will be released today. The MBA purchase applications index will be released at 7:00 a.m. ET, while the ADP private payroll employment data for April will be released at 8:15 a.m. ET. The Markit PMI manufacturing index for April will be released at 8:58 a.m. ET, while the ISM manufacturing index for April and construction spending data for March will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET. The EIA weekly report on petroleum inventories will be released at 10:30 a.m. ET, while the FOMC will announce its policy decision at 2:00 p.m. ET. DreamWorks Animation SKG DWA posted a surprise profit in the first quarter. Mastercard MA is projected to report its Q1 earnings at $6.17 per share on revenue of $1.93 billion. Time Warner TWX is estimated to report its Q1 earnings at $0.74 per share on revenue of $7.12 billion. The Clorox Company CLX is expected to report its Q3 earnings at $1.06 per share on revenue of $1.44 billion. Facebook FB is projected to post its Q1 earnings at $0.13 per share on revenue of $1.44 billion. Viacom VIAB is expected to report its Q2 earnings at $0.95 per share on revenue of $3.19 billion. Visa V is projected to post its Q2 earnings at $1.81 per share on revenue of $2.85 billion. The Allstate ALL is estimated to post its Q1 earnings at $1.30 per share on revenue of $6.60 billion. Sealed Air SEE is expected to report its Q1 earnings at $0.18 per share on revenue of $1.86 billion. Seagate Technology Public Limited Company STX is estimated to post its Q3 earnings at $1.15 per share on revenue of $3.38 billion. Humana HUM is expected to report its Q1 earnings at $1.81 per share on revenue of $10.25 billion. CBS CBS is projected to post its Q1 earnings at $0.68 per share on revenue of $4.02 billion. Exelon EXC is estimated to report its Q1 earnings at $0.68 per share on revenue of $6.20 billion. European markets were mostly higher today. The STOXX Europe 600 Index gained 0.17%, London's FTSE 100 Index gained 0.48%, French CAC 40 Index fell 0.31% and German DAX 30 index rose 0.51%. Asian markets ended lower, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average dropping 0.44% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index dropping 0.48%.