Before the bell: Futures higher as oil retreats, dollar strengthens

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) raised $4 billion for a fund that invests in infrastructure projects, far exceeding the $2.5 billion target it has set. Other than ports, roads and parking lots, governments are spending more and more on infrastructure, especially water, electricity and telecommunications, and funds for such undertakings are greatly required.

Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) today introduced the BlackBerry Bold smartphone. While it was hailed an iPhone killer by some, the company continues to position the BlackBerry as a smartphone for business and heavy users, rather than try to cut into Apple's consumer market. According to RIM's statement, "the BlackBerry Bold is designed to give business professionals and power users unprecedented functionality and performance in an intuitive BlackBerry smartphone. It is the first BlackBerry smartphone to support tri-band HSDPA high-speed networks around the world and comes with integrated GPS and Wi-Fi, as well as a rich set of multimedia capabilities." If you wondered, the QWERTY keyboard is still there, but its most amazing feature is apparently the display. While RIMM is up 1.6% in premarket trading, some think it's in for a bruising.

And meanwhile, of course, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is continuing its push to bring the iPhone worldwide. Singapore Telecommunications Ltd said it and its mobile associates -- Bharti Airtel Ltd, Globe Telecom Inc and Australian unit Optus -- will bring the iPhone to Singapore, India, Australia and the Philippines later this year as they had signed the agreement with Apple.
As for the 3G iPhone, it may launch when Steve Jobs gives his keynote address on June 9, the first day of the 2008 World Wide Developers conference. While no announcement was made, Fortune has confirmed the date of the keynote with Apple public relations.

Just like a never ending video game, the saga of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ: TTWO) still hasn't come to a conclusion. But perhaps it is a step closer. ERTS announced late Friday it received debt financing commitments of up to $1 billion for its $2 billion tender offer for smaller rival Take-Two.

Also expected to report today is LDK Solar Co. (NYSE: LDK), the recently popular with investor solar energy company. Last week, LDK announced a 5-year agreement to supply multicrystalline solar wafers to German chipmaker Qimonda, or Centrosolar. Analysts expect LDK to report a first-quarter profit of 39 cents a share. LDK shares are trading nearly 1.5% higher in premarket trading.

Following FedEx (NYSE: FDX)'s warning, United Parcel Services (NYSE: UPS) shares have been declining over 1% in extended trading.