Futures Pointing To Higher Open On Wall Street

(RTTNews) - After ending last Friday's trading sharply higher, stocks are likely to see some further upside in early trading on Tuesday. The major index futures are currently pointing to a higher open for the markets, with the Dow futures up by 77 points.

A positive reaction to earnings news from companies such as Halliburton (HAL) and Delta Air Lines (DAL) may contribute to early strength on Wall Street

Shares of Halliburton are up by 2.5 percent in pre-market trading after the oil service giant reported fourth quarter adjusted earnings that exceeded analyst estimates.

Baker Hughes (BHI), which has agreed to be acquired by Halliburton for approximately $35 billion, also reported better than expected fourth quarter results.

Shares of Delta are also likely to move to the upside in early trading after the airline beat fourth quarter earnings estimates amid a benefit from falling fuel prices.

Not long after the open, trading could be impacted by the release of a report from the National Association of Home Builders on homebuilder confidence in the month of January.

Nonetheless, trading activity may be somewhat subdued as traders look ahead to the outcome of the European Central Bank's monetary policy meeting on Thursday.