Stock futures rise following overseas gains

NEW YORK (AP) — Stock futures rose Friday as signs of strong manufacturing growth in China drove stocks higher worldwide.

China’s key reading on manufacturing activity jumped in September from August, relieving concerns that growth in the world’s second-largest economy is slowing. China has been relied upon to pick up global demand as the U.S. economy remains sluggish.

Traders in the U.S. will get their own reading on domestic manufacturing activity later today. The report often sets an early tone for trading each month. Investors could be slightly more optimistic about the manufacturing data after a report Thursday showed manufacturing activity in the Chicago area rose in September.