Stock futures rise on earnings, economic reports

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are set to rise after reports show a slight improvement in the weak housing market and wholesale prices rose for the first time in three months.

The Commerce Department says construction of new homes and apartments rose 1.7 percent in July but applications for building permits fell by a more than expected 3.1 percent.

The Labor Department said today that prices at the wholesale level rose 0.2 percent last month, which could provide relief for investors worried about deflation. It was the first rise in prices since March.

Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 58, or 0.6 percent, at 10,331. Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures are up 9.30, or 0.9 percent, at 1,086.40, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 12.50, or 0.7 percent, at 1,832.50.