US stock futures bounce back after unsettling day for retailers; Conference Board report due

NEW YORK — 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.

FILE - In this Thursday, May 2, 2013, file photo, Trader Kevin Lodewick works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. World stock markets were mixed Friday May 17, 2013 as investors digested a slew of disappointing data from the U.S. ahead of the release of a key measurement of the country's economic outlook. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

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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