What's Hot on TheStreet

Here's what Benzinga's reading on our friend,

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Technology has been a tough stock-market sector to beat in 2010, and some fund managers expect more of the same for next year. The technology-heavy Nasdaq has risen 17.5% so far in 2010, compared with a 12.8% gain in the S&P 500 Index of large-cap stocks and a 10.8% advance in the 30-member Dow.

First Solar

has won Morningstar's coveted five-star stock rating. Morningstar bestows the score on only 30 of the 1,700 stocks in its coverage universe. Outstanding growth, competitive pricing and wider market share will support First Solar's stock in 2011, Morningstar says.

U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open Tuesday despite an unexpected dip in home prices as investors anticipated a stronger reading on December consumer confidence. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up by 14 points, or 25 points above fair value, at 11,517. Futures for the S&P 500 were 2 points higher, or 3 points above fair value, at 1256, and Nasdaq futures were ahead by 3 points, or 4 points above fair value.

The dollar is weaker Tuesday vs. its major rivals and emerging-market currencies. The euro maintained a supportive tone following the move up to the $1.3270 region. Momentum was lacking due to thin trading liquidity and an unexpected downward revision in French third-quarter GDP.