NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock market futures are following world markets higher because of optimism that a plan to ease Greece’s debt burden is nearing success.
Dow Jones industrial average futures are up 90 points to 12,931. Standard and Poor’s 500 futures are ahead 11 points to 1,363.50. Nasdaq 100 futures are up 18 at 2,627.
Private investors face a deadline Thursday for accepting a deal to swap $140 billion in Greek bonds for replacements that will be worth far less. If the deal fails, Greece could default by March 20 and rattle the world financial system.
Worldwide, markets expect the swap to succeed. In London, the FTSE 100 index is up 0.4 percent. Germany’s DAX is up 2.1 percent. And the CAC-40 in France is 2 percent higher. Asian markets also rose.
