Stock index futures rose on Tuesday, buoyed by hopes that European Union nations could bail out debt-burdened Greece.

Worries that rising debt in Greece, Portugal and other euro zone states could undermine a global recovery has sapped confidence from equity markets in recent weeks. Expectations of a rescue for Greece followed news that European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet was leaving a meeting of central bankers in Sydney early to attend a European Union leaders' summit.

On the economic front, investors will watch December wholesale trade data due at 10:00 a.m. EST. Inventories are expected to have increased half a percentage point, after jumping 1.5 percent in November, the fastest rate in over five years. Rising inventories suggest businesses are preparing for a healthier economy.

Shares of Electronic Arts Inc fell more than 8 percent in extended trade Monday after the company warned fiscal 2011 earnings would miss expectations.

S&P 500 futures rose 7.9 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 were up 52 points and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 13.5 points.

The Dow closed below 10,000 for the first time since last November on Monday, as investors sold bank shares due to concerns over the euro zone debt troubles.

The benchmark S&P 500 is off 8.1 percent from its 15-month closing peak of January 19, but still up 56.2 percent from its March 2009 bottom.

Boeing Co could see interest after it flew its twice-delayed 747-8 Freighter for the first time on Monday, a significant milestone in the long history of the 747 family and a step that could bolster the credibility of the world's No. 2 planemaker.

(Reporting by Leah Schnurr; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

Portugal European union European central bank