US stock-index futures rose amid China exports

US stock-index futures climbed, hinting the Standard & Poor’s 500 index will rise for a fifth straight day, as exports from China, the world’s second-largest economy, exceeded forecasts.

Futures on the benchmark Standard & Poors 500 expiring this month gained 0.2% to 1,657.1 at 6:21 a.m. in New York as President Barack Obama continues to persuade Congress to support air strikes against Syria. Contracts on the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 30 points, or 0.2%, to 14,939.

“Economic data out of Asia seems to be supporting markets, but no doubt investors will remain vigilant in the short term about any developments in the Syria situation and the next move from the Federal Reserve,” James Butterfill, who helps oversee $44 billion as head of global equity strategy at Coutts & Co. in London, said by phone for Bloomberg.

Chinese exports added 7.2% in August from a year earlier, the General Administration of Customs reported yesterday. Imports increased a less-than-estimated 7%.

Chinese stocks soared after trade data showed a pickup in exports for the month of August, the latest sign the world’s second largest economy is stabilizing. Additionally, stocks rose in Japan after data showed the country’s economy grew much faster in the second quarter than initially estimated.

This week investors will be watching Apple Inc. closely to see if the stock reclaims the critical $500 mark as the company plans activities on two continents. On Tuesday at its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., Apple is expected to introduce its latest iPhones. Apple is also planning another presentation in Beijing.

Delta advanced 5.4% to $20.97 in early New York trading. The airline will join the S&P 500 after the close of trading tomorrow, according to a statement from S&P Dow Jones Indices on September 6, making Atlanta-based Delta the second carrier in the index after Southwest Airlines Co. BMC is leaving the gauge after being bought by Bain Capital LLC.

Goldman Sachs upgraded online broker E*Trade Financial Corp. to “buy” from “neutral”, saying the companys capital plan, recently approved by regulators, could lead to significant per-share earnings almost doubling over the next three years.