U.S. stock futures rose as larger-than-forecast growth in consumer spending bolstered optimism in the economy.

Stock futures rose today as government data showed U.S. consumer spending increased 0.8% in February, the most in seven months and more than the median economist estimate of 0.6%, signaling the biggest part of the economy is strengthening. Another report may show consumer sentiment held near a one-year high.

Investors also watched the latest attempts in taming Europe’s debt crisis. Adding the 300 billion euros already committed to Greece, Ireland and Portugal, euro-area finance ministers put the overall size of the firewall at 800 billion euros. Finance ministers ruled out using the 240 billion euros left in the temporary rescue fund to go beyond that.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei  10,083.56 -31.23 -0.31%

Topix 854.35 -3.39 -0.40%

Hang Seng 20,555.58 -53.81 -0.26%

Shanghai Composite 2,262.79 +10.63 +0.47%

FTSE  5,775.51 +33.48 +0.58%

CAC  3,421.78 +40.66 +1.20%

DAX  6,936.31 +61.16 +0.89%

Crude oil $103.44 (+0.6%).

Gold $1669.70 (+0,9%).