Global stocks were set to post modest gains on Wednesday morning, ahead of a light day for U.S. economic news but big hopes that Greek policy makers will agree on terms to accept euro zone bailout funds.
U.S. index futures were higher with about two hours before markets open, suggesting that stocks will rise at the start of trading. Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average were up 15 points or 0.1 per cent. Futures for the S&P 500 were up less than one point.
Both indexes rose ever-so-slightly on Tuesday, erasing earlier dips into negative territory -- reflecting uncertainty over whether Greece will pass austerity measures in time to hold off a messy default on its debt obligations.
In Europe, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was up 0.1 per cent and Germany's DAX index was up 0.6 per cent in afternoon trading. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 1.1 per cent in overnight trading.
Commodities were mixed. Crude oil rose 0.9 per cent, to $99.30 (U.S.) a barrel. However, gold was relatively unchanged at $1,748 (U.S.) an ounce.
In earnings news, Agrium Inc. reported that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 43 per cent over last year, rising to $193-million or $1.20 a share. TMX Group, which operates the Toronto Stock Exchange, reported that its quarterly profit fell 21 per cent, to $52.7-million (Canadian) or 70 cents a share.
