Stocks poised for higher start ahead of data, Geithner's plan

U.S. stock index futures were higher Thursday morning, indicating Wall Street could have a positive day. Investors' sentiment was lifted by hopes the U.S. economy may be starting to stabilize. Still, economic data coming out this morning could rattle investors, as could the Treasury Secretary's new proposals for the financial system.

At 10:00 a.m. Eastern, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner will testify in front of a House Financial Services Committee. He's expected to unveil plans for an extensive overhaul of financial regulations in an effort to prevent a repeat of the banking crisis. Some of the proposed regulations involve the market for credit default swaps and other types of derivatives, as well as hedge funds registration with the SEC.