Economic Hopes Lift Stock Futures

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Data pointing to a growing manufacturing rebound in China and a slight easing in the rate of economic decline in the eurozone brightened Wall Street's sentiment on Friday. Nasdaq futures came under pressure from sliding Apple shares.

Today's Markets

As of 8:45 a.m. ET, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures climbed 12 points to 13106, S&P 500 futures were flat at 1412 and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 6.5 points to 2641.

Factory activity in China rose to the highest level in 14 months in December, according to HSBC's Flash Purchasing Manager's Index. The PMI gauge climbed to 50.9 from 50.5 in November -- indicating the sector expanded at a quicker pace. Economists said the data suggest the world's second-biggest economy is probably regaining its footing, helping to alleviate fears it was headed for a so-called hard landing.

"China's ongoing growth recovery is gaining momentum mainly driven by domestic demand conditions," Hongbin Qu, HSBC's chief economist for China, wrote in the report. "However, the drop of new export orders and the downside surprise of November exports growth suggest the persisting external headwinds."

Meanwhile, the private sector in the eurozone continued shrinking, but at a slightly slower pace in December from November. The Markit Flash Composite PMI checked in at 47.3 -- a nine-month high -- from 46.5 in November.

"The eurozone downturn showed further signs of easing in December, adding to hopes that the outlook for next year is brightening," Markit Chief Economist Chris Williamson wrote in the report. He said there is an "increasing possibility" of a return to growth in the 17-member currency bloc in the first half of 2013.

Germany, Europe's biggest economy, saw its private sector expand for the first time in eight months, according to a separate report from Markit. Still, its manufacturing pulled back, highlighting the ongoing struggles there.

On the U.S. front, the Labor Department said inflation at the consumer level fell 0.3% in November from October, a slightly steeper drop than the 0.2% expected and the first decline since May. Excluding the food and energy components, prices were up 0.1%, slightly less than the 0.2% expected. A report was due out later on the factory sector.

Traders were also paying close attention to talks in Washington, D.C aimed at averting the looming fiscal cliff. President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner met at the White House late Thursday for a "frank" discussion. It remained unclear how close the two leaders were to striking a deal.

Energy futures posted solid gains. The benchmark crude contract climbed 88 cents, or 1.1%, to $86.81 a barrel. Wholesale New York Harbor gasoline jumped 1.1% to $2.631 a gallon. In metals, gold gained 90 cents, or 0.05%, to $1,689 a troy ounce.

In corporate news, UBS cut its outlook on Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) to $700 a share from $780. The Stock fell close to 2% , weighing on Nasdaq 100 futures.

Foreign Markets

The Euro Stoxx 50 gained 0.03% to 2630, the English FTSE 100 dipped 0.12% to 5923 and the German DAX rose 0.27% to 7602.

In Asia, the Japanese Nikkei 225 slipped 0.05% to 9734 and the Chinese Hang Seng climbed 0.71% to 22606.