A tech triumph?

[notiCIas]

A tech triumph?

Stronger than expected results from Texas Instruments, others lift stock futures early.

January 26, 2005: 6:24 AM EST

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Strong tech earnings could lift stocks early Wednesday, possibly extending Tuesday's gains.

U.S. stock futures were higher early Wednesday after a number of high-profile tech companies, including Texas Instruments (Research), reported better than expected results after the market close Tuesday.

Overseas, major Asian markets gained on the strong tech reports and gains in the U.S. markets on Tuesday. Major European markets were mixed in early trading.


Oil prices retreated early Wednesday ahead of the late morning report on U.S. fuel inventories. The March light crude contract fell 20 cents to $49.44 a barrel in electronic trading, while Brent crude dropped 20 cents to $46.76.

Treasury prices were lower, raising the yield on the 10-year note to 4.20 percent from 4.19 percent late Tuesday. The dollar lost ground on both the euro and the yen in early trading.

In corporate news, a federal appeals court ruled a trial judge wrongfully threw out certain portions of a widely watched obesity suit against McDonald's (Research). The company said it expects the suit will be dismissed again. Shares of McDonald's slipped 14 cents to $31.80 in after-hours trading.

Microsoft (Research) announced an anti-piracy effort early Wednesday that will require Windows users to verify that their copy of the software is genuine in order to receive timely updates and security fixes.

Earnings reports due Wednesday include tobacco company Altria (Research), a Dow component expected to report during the trading day, as well as ConocoPhillips (Research), the nation's No. 3 oil company, and embattled insurance broker Marsh McLennan (Research).

Investors looking for more information on the tech sector will be able to follow the presentation due Wednesday from software provider Oracle (Research).