Stock futures flat ahead of key employment report

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures were little changed on Friday ahead of a key monthly employment report expected show the economy stopped shedding jobs last month for the first time in two years.

A Reuters survey of 84 economists on Thursday forecast that U.S. nonfarm payrolls were flat in December after dropping by 11,000 in November, while the unemployment rate edged up to 10.1 percent from 10 percent in November. The report is due at 8:30 a.m. EST.

S&P 500 futures gained 0.1 points and in line with 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 rose by 12 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 2 points.

Technology shares will be in focus after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd <2330.TW>, the world's largest contract chipmaker, said December sales more than doubled from a year earlier, boding well for 2010 as new computers and other high-tech gadgets boost demand.

Bank of America Corp will pay bonuses to its investment bankers that are close to 2007 levels, as it tries to stem defections following the takeover of Merrill Lynch, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Exxon Mobil Corp is looking to sign a contract for a Transocean Ltd rig capable of drilling in Arctic waters that will cost up to $1 billion to build, according to a source.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc was sued by an Illinois pension fund seeking to recover billions of dollars in bonuses and other compensation being awarded for 2009, saying shareholders were harmed.

Marriott International Inc expects revenue per available room at North American hotels will drop by 13 percent to 14 percent in the fourth quarter, a slight improvement from earlier projections.

American Airlines raised its offer to invest in Japan Airlines Corp <9205.T> by $300 million to $1.4 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Intel Corp released a flurry of new computer chips Thursday in hopes of maintaining its dominance over rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc and in anticipation of increased demand.

Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 1 percent to hit a 15-month high on Friday, with chip-related shares climbing, while European stocks edged higher in morning trade, led by banking shares.

(Reporting by Angela Moon; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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