Before the bell: UBS announces $10 billion in write-downs

Stock index futures pointed to a higher opening Monday as investors expect a quarter-point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve when it meets tomorrow.

Anticipation of a rate cut offset news from UBS (NYSE: UBS) that it will write down around $10 billion in subprime holdings, and that it expects a loss when it reports fourth quarter results in February. Muting the write-downs, UBS announced that the government of Singapore had invested $11.5 billion in the Swiss bank.

All eyes fell on the Fed Monday, with few other economic indicators scheduled. The National Association of Realtors is expected to report a 1 percent drop in October's pending home sales in its 10 a.m. report.

Although some analysts saw potential for a half-point cut in the Federal Funds rate, the interest rate banks charge each other, consensus seemed to expect just a quarter-point cut from the Fed, especially after latest data indicated labor market conditions remained stable in November. The Fed could also lower the emergency discount rate, currently 5 percent, to match the 4.5 percent Federal Funds rate, and hold the latter steady.

Among the few companies reporting earnings Monday, income tax preparer H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is expected to announce a 35-cent loss per share when it reports earnings after the market closes Monday.

Foreign markets were flat Monday, with European bourses sagging slightly while Japan's Nikkei 225 finished down 0.2 percent at 15,924.39. The dollar slipped in Europe, fetching just 0.6816 euro.