NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks futures are rising after the leaders of France and
Germany vowed to strengthen Europe's banks to help them weather the region's
debt crisis.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy on
Sunday said a "comprehensive response" to the debt crisis would be finalized by
the end of the month, including a plan to ensure banks have adequate
capital.
That reassured investors, even though the leaders provided few specifics on
how the plan would work.
Ahead of the opening bell, Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 125
points, or 1.1 percent, at 11,191. Standard & Poor's 500 futures are up 14,
or 1.2 percent, at 1,169. Nasdaq 100 futures are up 29, or 1.3 percent, at
2,230.
The bond market is closed for the Columbus Day holiday.