Stock futures point to higher opening

Stocks are heading toward a higher open as investors await reports on manufacturing and home sales. The Institute for Supply Management's assessment of the manufacturing economy during November is due at 10 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday, along with the National Association of Realtors' tally of pending home sales for October. News of a deal between General Electric and Vivendi that opens the way for NBC Universal to be sold to Comcast is adding some confidence to the markets. Overseas markets are higher amid diminishing fears about Dubai's debt problems. Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 68, or 0.7 percent, at 10,402. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are up 7.90, or 0.7 percent, at, 1,102.70, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 14.50, or 0.8 percent, at 1,782.00.