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U.S. stock futures were higher this morning, indicating a similar start for stock markets after after General Motors (NYSE: GM) reached a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers to end the strike.

Yesterday, U.S. stocks finished mixed to higher with the heavily weighted technology Nasdaq composite leading the gains but with broader markets affected by retailers' gloomy forecast. The Dow Industrial Average gained 19.6 points or 0.14%, the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 15.50 points or 0.58% and the S&P 500 was down half a point or 0.03%.

Today, investors will breathe a sigh of relief the strike against GM it at its end, but will continue to focus on the economy after consumer confidence reported yesterday fell to the lowest level in nearly two years, far more than what economists had expected. The continues slump in the housing market after another decline in existing home sales was reported yesterday to the lowest level in five years. Add yesterday's report from two retailers that they expect much lower sales and the warning bells ring louder than ever. Should the labor market contract, it would affect spending. Does that mean the Federal Reserve will raise rates again?

So at 8:30 a.m., no doubt traders will pay attention to August durable orders, which is expected to have declined 3.5% after a 6% increase in July.

Later this morning, at 10:30 a.m., weekly crude inventories will be released. Oil prices rose in Asian trade today as with traders keeping an eye on tropical storms and expect U.S. crude oil stocks to have fallen 2 million barrels, on average, for the fifth-straight week, according to a Dow Jones Newswires survey of analysts.

Overseas, Asian markets ended mixed and European showed gains so far in the session, led by financials.