Stock futures point to positive start for 2010

Stocks appear headed for a higher opening on the first day of trading in the new year following the lead of overseas markets. Stock futures are up. Investors will receive key data throughout the week that could show the economic recovery is continuing, including a report on manufacturing Monday and the monthly employment report on Friday. Signs of a rebound helped the market surge during the final nine months of 2009 from its 12-year lows. The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index is expected to show modest growth in the sector last month. Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 62, or 0.6 percent, at 10,427. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are up 7.20, or 0.7 percent, at 1,117.90, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 20.50, or 1.1 percent, at 1,879.25.