U.S. stock index futures were higher Tuesday, as investors bet on the Federal Reserve announcing further economic stimulus measures after its monetary policy meeting.
The Fed’s two-day meeting starts on Tuesday with an announcement expected on Wednesday afternoon. Last week’s weak jobs data lifted investors’ hopes of an extension to "Operation Twist", the Fed’s effort to drive down long-term borrowing costs by selling short-dated securities. European shares were also higheron the prospect.
In Greece, political leaders raced to build a coalition government led by conservative New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras, that would seek to renegotiate the terms of Greece's 130 billion euro EU/IMF bailout agreement.
Meanwhile, the participants of the G20 summit in Mexico focused on Europe’s debt crisis, with euro zone leaders pledging to consider steps towards a banking union.
On the economic front, housing starts fell 4.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted rate of 708,000 units in May, according to the Commerce Deaprtment, below the Reuters poll forecasts for 720,000. But building permits surged to its highest in more than three years.
Facebook edged higher after brokerage Susquehanna reiterated their positive rating on the social-networking giant's shares. Facebook rallied more than 5 percent in the previous session.