NEW YORK (AP) -- Futures are rising as Chairman Ben Bernanke heads to Capitol Hill to explain what the Federal Reserve will do to accelerate the economic recovery only days before a series of mandatory budget cuts kick in.
Dow Jones industrial futures are up 38 points to 13,826. The broader S&P futures have added 4.3 points to 1,491.50. Nasdaq futures are up 5.25 points to 2,707.50.
When the chairman goes before the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday and the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday, he will be questioned about the Fed's bond-buying program, which has been used to keep the economy flush with cash.
Also Tuesday, the government posts new home sales numbers for January and the private Conference Board releases its consumer confidence report for February.