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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stock futures are rising on hopes that a solution will be found to expand Europe's financial rescue program.

Slovakia rejected a bill Tuesday that would have increased the powers of the regional rescue fund. The 16 other countries that use the euro have already signed off on the bill, but the measure requires unanimous support. Still, there are ways around Slovakia's opposition, and investors expect the bill to ultimately pass before a meeting of European leaders next week.

About 90 minutes before the opening bell Wednesday, Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 86 points, or 0.8 percent, at 11,416. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are up 8, or 0.7 percent, at 1,198. Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 21, or 0.9 percent, at 2,310.