US stock-index futures advance before sentiment data

U.S. stock-index futures gained, after the Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded its biggest weekly jump in three months, signaling the U.S. indexes could continue their climb amid Consumer-Sentiment Report.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average put on 45 points, or 0.3%, to 16,226, while those for the S&P 500 index picked up 7.30 points, or 0.4%, to 1,821.80. Nasdaq 100 futures rose 24.50 points, or 0.7%, to 3,556.75

The Dow jumped 3% last week and the S&P 500 climbed 2.4% as the Federal Reserve said it will reduce the pace of bond buying amid faster-than-estimated economic growth. The S&P 500 has advanced 27% in 2013, putting it on course for its biggest annual rally since 1997.

“We are seeing the typical end-of-year window dressing,” Christoph Hock, an equity sales trader at Alpha Wertpapierhandels GmbH in Frankfurt, said by phone to Bloomberg. “Everyone was expecting a Santa Claus rally. And we’ve had it. I think there is also a relief rally following the Fed’s decision. I wouldn’t be surprised to see further trading on the upside.”

A report at 9:55 a.m. New York time may show that consumer confidence increased in December. A final reading for the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer-sentiment index rose to 83, according to economists estimates. That compares with a preliminary prediction of 82.5 and a reading of 75.1 in November.

In corporate world, Apple added 4.3% to $572.68 in early New York trading. The company, ending six years of negotiations, struck a deal that will give both the U.S. phone maker and China Mobile a means to fight declining share in the market of 1.2 billion wireless subscribers. China Mobile agreed to sell the iPhone 5s and 5c models in its stores from January 17, the companies said in a statement.

T-Mobile advanced 3% to $31.93 in Germany. SoftBank’s Son has discussed financing a bid with banks such as Credit Suisse Group AG, Mizuho Bank Ltd. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., people familiar with the matter said.

Facebook Inc. gained 0.5% ahead of the open, when it will begin trading as part of the S&P 500 index for the first time. Shares added more than 3% last week and have more than doubled since the start of the year.