Reply #7: Stock futures flat to up before payrolls data [View All]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures suggested a flat to slightly higher open on Friday, with investors cautious before a key employment report that should give clues on the U.S. economy's health and where interest rates are headed.

U.S. nonfarm payrolls data for November, due at 8:30 a.m. EDT, could make or break the week for stocks, which were on track to rebound from last week's dip.

Economists expect U.S. businesses to have added a moderate number of jobs in November, with a Reuters poll forecasting an increase of 110,000 compared with a rise of 92,000 the previous month. However, derivatives auctions suggest the market is now pricing in a lower number of 85,800 new jobs.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/markets_stocks_dc