U.S. stock futures are rising with markets headed for a positive week overall, as investors shrug off some unsettling reports from retailers this week.
Dow Jones industrial futures are up 40 points to 15,252. S&P futures have added 4.6 points to 1,652.70. Nasdaq futures are up 6 points to 2,004.25.
There is some optimism ahead of the release Friday of the Conference Board's index of leading indicators. The private group's index attempts to gauge what's coming over the next several months.
Markets were unsettled Thursday by poor earnings reports from Wal-Mart, Nordstrom and J.C. Penney.
Weak retail performances left lingering concerns that consumers, a driving force in the U.S. economy, may be pulling back on spending as they absorb higher taxes while facing a slow recovery in the job market.
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