U.S. Stock-Index Futures Rise; Ford, Merrill Lynch Shares Gain in Europe

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures climbed as
investors speculated last week's losses may have been
exaggerated.

Ford Motor Co. advanced in Europe after the London Times
reported that Jacques Nasser, the company's former chief
executive officer, may visit the Land Rover and Jaguar factories
in the U.K. as part of an attempt to buy the brands. Merrill
Lynch & Co. gained after UBS AG recommended buying shares of the
third-largest U.S. securities firm.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Retreat; Google, Caterpillar Fall on Earnings

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures retreated
after Google Inc. and Caterpillar Inc. reported profit below
analysts' estimates.

Google, the world's most-popular Internet-search engine,
tumbled after it said costs rose due to hiring and increased
research spending. Caterpillar, the biggest maker of earth-
moving equipment, declined on a ``weakness'' in North American
machine sales.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Rise; IBM, Microsoft, Motorola Climb in Europe

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures gained as
investors speculated a flurry of second-quarter earnings reports
today will show profits are holding up amid an economic slowdown.

International Business Machines Corp. advanced in Europe
after the world's biggest computer-services company increased its
annual earnings forecast after beating analysts' quarterly
estimates. Microsoft Corp., the largest software maker, and
Motorola Inc., the second-biggest mobile-phone maker, rose before
posting earnings.


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U.S. Stock Futures Decline After Gauge of Wholesale Inflation Advances

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures declined
after a gauge of wholesale inflation rose more than forecast,
spurring concern that higher prices will hinder economic
growth.

Prices paid to producers excluding food and energy
increased 0.3 percent in June, compared with a 0.2 percent gain
forecast by economists in a Bloomberg survey. The report may
bolster the Federal Reserve's assessment that a pickup in
inflation is the biggest risk to economic growth.


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U.S. Stock Futures Rise After New York Manufacturing Data Beats Forecasts

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures rose after
a gauge of manufacturing in New York state climbed to the
highest in a year.

McDonald's Corp. advanced after the world's largest
restaurant company reported profit from continuing operations
that topped analysts' estimates. Eaton Corp., the second-
biggest maker of hydraulic equipment, gained after boosting its
full-year earnings forecast. Verizon Communications Inc., the
second-largest U.S. phone company, jumped on a report it may be
the target of a $160 billion takeover bid.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Decline as Oil Rises; SanDisk, Dow Jones Retreat

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures fell after
oil rose above $74 a barrel, spurring concern that higher fuel
prices may hamper consumer spending and corporate profits.

SanDisk Corp., the world's largest maker of flash-memory
cards, declined after UBS AG downgraded the shares. Dow Jones &
Co. retreated after the Wall Street Journal reported that a
member of the publisher's controlling family is trying to block
its' sale to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Drop; Bed Bath & Beyond, Novellus Shares Decline

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures fell after
profit forecasts from Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and Novellus
Systems Inc. missed some analysts' estimates.

Bed Bath & Beyond, the largest U.S. home-furnishings
retailer, dropped after it said earnings may decline because of
the slump in housing. Novellus led shares of semiconductor
equipment makers lower after saying second-quarter profit and
sales will be at the low end of its forecast.


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U.S. Stock-Index Futures Gain on Acquisitions; Alcoa, Gilead Shares Rise

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures rose after a
report that BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's largest mining
company, may bid for Alcoa Inc., the No. 1 aluminum maker.

Shares of Alcoa jumped in Europe after the London-based
Times said BHP may consider a $40 billion takeover. Chicago Board
of Trade gained after shareholders of the second-largest futures
market were told they may get better offers from two suitors.


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U.S. Stock Index Futures Rally After Measure of Consumer Prices Slows

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. stock-index futures rose after
consumer prices excluding food and energy fell in May, easing
inflation concern.

The 0.1 percent advance in the Labor Department's so-called
core consumer price index was half what economists forecast in a
Bloomberg survey. The slower growth in prices may diminish the
Federal Reserve's reluctance to lower interest rates. Fed
officials have said inflation is their ``predominant concern.''


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