U.S. stock index futures signal higher open

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Friday, with futures for the S&P 500, the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq 100 up 0.1 to 0.2 percent.

The Commerce Department releases at 8:30 a.m. EDT April personal income and consumption data. Economists in a Reuters survey expect a rise of 0.4 percent in April income and a 0.5 percent increase in spending. In the previous month, income rose 0.5 percent and spending rose 0.6 percent.

At 9:55 a.m. Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers release May final consumer sentiment index. Economists expect a reading of 72.4, a repeat of the preliminary May reading.

The Group of Eight leaders agreed on Friday that the global economic recovery was becoming more "self-sustained," although higher commodity prices were hampering further growth.

National Association of Realtors issues at 1400 GMT Pending Home Sales for April. Economists expect a 1.0 percent decline compared with a 5.1 percent increase in the previous month.

U.S. shoppers soon will be able to use mobile phones to pay for things at the checkout counter under a system unveiled by Google Inc <GOOG.O> and other major companies.

Economic Cycle Research Institute (ECRI) releases at 10:30 a.m. EDT its weekly index of economic activity for May 20. In the prior week the index read 128.7.

Resource-related stocks will be in focus, with crude oil rising to hover above $115 a barrel on a softer dollar and persistent Middle East tensions. Key base metals prices also advanced.

Japan's Nikkei average <.N225> fell 0.4 percent.

On Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> edged up 8.10 points, or 0.07 percent, to 12,402.76. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 5.22 points, or 0.40 percent, to 1,325.69. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 21.54 points, or 0.78 percent, to 2,782.92.

(Reporting by Atul Prakash; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)