(MENAFN- Baystreet.ca) U.S. stock index futures were higher Friday after White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said China and the U.S. were getting close to reaching a trade deal.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials took on 82 points, or 0.3%, early Friday to 27,828.
Futures for the S&P 500 gained 7.5 points, or 0.2%, at 3,104.50
The NASDAQ Composite added 32 points, or 0.4%, to 8,297.50.
The S&P 500 has advanced 3.4%, and Dow is up 2.8%, over the past month. The tech-rich NASDAQ has gained 4.1% in that time.
J C Penney and JD.com are among the firms reporting earnings Friday.
U.S. officials have sent positive signs about trade talks with China. Kudlow, the National Economic Council director, said Thursday that a deal between the two nations was approaching, highlighting constructive discussions with Beijing.
Investors awaited for various data releases Friday. There will be retail sales, import prices and the Empire State manufacturing numbers out at 8:30 a.m. ET. There will also be industrial production numbers released at 09:15 a.m. ET.
Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.7% Friday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index inched higher three points.
Oil prices slipped 16 cents to $56.61 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices fell $7.10 to $1,466.30 U.S. an ounce.
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