U.S. futures higher, Apple to report earnings; Dow Jones up 0.20%

U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open on Tuesday, after disappointing U.S. housing sector data on Monday dampened expectations for a near-term end to the Federal Reserve's stimulus program, while markets eyed the release of fresh earnings reports. 

Ahead of the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.20% gain, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.23% rise, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.29% increase. 

Global equities gained ground after data showing that U.S. existing home sales fell unexpectedly in June dampened expectations that the Fed will start scaling back its asset purchase program this year.

The National Association of Realtors said that existing home sales fell 1.2% to an annual rate of 5.08 million units in June, but still remained close to three-and-a-half year highs. 

Internet-linked stocks were expected to be active, after Netflix said it added 630,000 new U.S. customers for its Internet TV service in the second quarter, fewer than the average analyst projection of 700,000, sending shares tumbling 5.33% in pre-market trade. 

CapitalSource was also likely to be in focus, as PacWest said it agreed to buy the lender in a deal that will create California’s eighth-biggest commercial bank. 

CapitalSource investors will reportedly get about USD11.64 a share in PacWest stock and cash, according to a joint statement. 

In the tech sector, Texas Instruments rallied 1.95% in early trading, after the chipmaker forecast third-quarter sales of USD3.09 billion to USD3.35 billion, compared to analysts' estimates of USD3.2 billion. 

Other stocks expected to be in focus included Apple, DuPont, Travelers and United Tech, scheduled to post second quarter results later in the day. 

Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were higher. The EURO STOXX 50 climbed 0.42%, France’s CAC 40 added 0.15%, Germany's DAX edged up 0.12%, while Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.23%. 

During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index surged 2.33%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index advanced 0.82%. 

Trade remained subdued as volumes in foreign exchange markets were lower due to the summer holidays.