Before the Bell: Futures look bullish on rate cuts, new bank plan, IBM results

Stock futures in the U.S. are up this morning, indicating a potentially strong opening for the financial markets.

While volatility is likely to remain high, positive futures suggest that the co-ordinated rate cuts by central banks are having the intended effect. European markets have moved higher, with the FTSE 100 and DAX up over 1%.

Markets may also be buoyed by reports that the U.S. Treasury is considering taking an ownership stake in major banks. This follows the announcement of a similar plan in Great Britain. The plan, which amounts to a partial (and voluntary) nationalization of the banks, seems to be generating more enthusiasm and confidence than the vague $700 billion bailout already approved by Congress.

Additional positive news came from International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM), which released preliminary third quarter results above analyst estimates. The stock is up 4.6% to $94.76 in pre-market trading. Sales were down, but the company showed impressive results nonetheless, suggesting that other large tech firms may be able to weather the global slowdown.

Analysts will be focused on weekly jobless claims and August wholesale inventory reports for further clues about the state of the economy. The end of the ban on short selling may act as another market catalyst.