Stock futures slightly higher as investors await fresh economic data

Stocks are expected to open modestly higher on Wall Street after a losing week last week. On Friday, stocks fell for the third straight day after reports on new-home sales and durable goods proved weaker than expected, leading investors to believe the economy has not yet emerged from the recession.

Plenty more economic data are due this week, including key reports on home prices, consumer confidence, personal income and spending, and Friday's much anticipated employment report. Analysts expect September's job numbers will show the nation's unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent, up from 9.7 percent in August.