Stock futures point toward higher opening as investors wait to hear from Fed chairman

Stock futures point to modestly higher opening

NEW YORK — Stock futures are pointing to a modestly higher opening as investors await a new report on housing and the dollar resumed its slide.

Overseas, Asian markets declined Wednesday while European markets are rising.

Investors are setting their sights on the housing sector, after retailers took center stage the past two days. Construction of new homes and apartments likely grew 1.7 percent last month.

Stocks have often been moving in the opposite direction of the dollar, which was falling Wednesday.

Ahead of the opening bell, Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 21, or 0.2 percent, at 10,419. Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures are up 2.30, or 0.2 percent, at 1,109.70, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are up 4.00, or 0.2 percent, at 1,812.75.