Wall Street to open up on euro-zone talks and earnings

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were set to open higher on Tuesday as euro-zone finance ministers worked to refine a 750 billion euro ($925 billion) bailout plan and Wal-Mart and Home Depot posted solid earnings.

The talks in Brussels calmed investors and helped to curb fears the Greece debt crisis could spread to currency markets.

"There was so much bickering, particularly earlier in April, heading into May here. That's one thing they need to do. They need to come together in a unified front," said Dan Cook, senior market analyst at IG Markets in Chicago.

"We need to start to see some of these things take place over the next month or two. Otherwise if there is a lot more conflict, it is going to take its toll on the markets again."

Wal-Mart Stores Inc gained 1.7 percent to $53.61 in early electronic trading after the retail giant reported quarterly earnings that topped estimates as strong international growth offset a drop in U.S. comparable sales.

Home Depot Inc added 0.3 percent to $35.68 premarket after the home improvement chain posted a profit that beat estimates and boosted its outlook.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co rose 2.4 percent to $41.74 after the youth-oriented apparel retailer posted a narrower loss.

"If investors want to focus just on corporate earnings they will see a reasonably bullish picture. Companies continue to perform well. It is the surrounding macro environment that is giving them pause," said Rick Meckler, president of investment firm LibertyView Capital Management in New York.

S&P 500 futures rose 8.3 points and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures jumped 68 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 12.25 points.

U.S. housing starts rose more than expected to touch their highest level since October 2008, but permits hit a six-month low. Also, the Labor Department said U.S. producer prices eased in April.

Fidelity National Information Services Inc fell 5.5 percent to $27.30 premarket after the payment processor ended talks over a leveraged buyout by a private equity consortium.

(Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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