Morning Wire -- US Stock-Index Futures Rising

US index futures are rising this morning following the lead of markets in Asia and Europe, all of which are higher today. In Europe, a report on eurozone business and consumer confidence came in better than expected, and Italy issued new debt for more than 100 basis points less than it cost the country to do so a month ago. In Asia, markets were also strong today as traders continue to react positively to last week’s easing of lending requirements in China and expectations for more of the same this week.

At about 8:15 a.m. ET, Germany’s DAX is up 0.52% at 6,885.20 and France’s CAC 40 is up 0.47%, at 3,457.73. In London, the FTSE 100 is up 0.20%, at 5,927.31.

In Asia, the Hang Seng index closed up 1.65%, at 21,568.70 and the Nikkei index closed up 0.92%, at 9,722.52. The Shanghai exchange closed up 0.20%, at 2,451.86.

Dow futures are up 0.35%, at 13,014.00. The Nasdaq 100 is up 0.41%, at 2,618.75 and the S&P is up 0.38%, at 1,372.50.

In the currency markets, the US dollar is weaker against the euro, the British pound, and the Japanese yen. The US dollar index is down -0.24% at 78.344.

In commodities, WTI and Brent crude are lower this morning, with WTI down -0.09% at $108.46/barrel and Brent is down -0.64% at $123.37/barrel. Gold is up 0.34% this morning, at $1,781.00/ounce.

Paul Ausick