U.S. stock futures were off morning lows, but lacked momentum following the gains from the previous session. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke soothed investors yesterday by addressing the speculation of nationalizing banks and saying the recession may end this year. Global market reacted positively with most trading higher. Bernanke will return to Capitol Hill for the second part of his semi-annual testimony on economic and monetary policy at 10:0 ET.
After the opening bell, attention will focus on the January report for existing home sales. The annual rate is expected to have risen to 4.8 million units from 4.74 million in December. The only other significant report scheduled today is the Energy Department’s weekly report on oil inventory.