Dow Jones futures rose 2.2 percent by 6:40 a.m EDT, S&P 500 futures were up 2.1 percent, and Nasdaq futures were up 2.2 percent, pointing to Wall Street opening higher on Thursday, building on the previous session's gains.

Markets are eyeing the G20 meeting in London, where world leaders moved to impose new financial rules and come up with more funds for the IMF to temper the worst economic crisis since the 1930s.

The domestic focus is on the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board, which is expected to vote in favor of a proposal giving financial firms more flexibility in mark-to-market accounting.

Eyes also on carmakers after U.S. auto sales fell 37 percent in March -- a smaller-than-expected drop that sparked hopes that the world's largest car market is nearing a bottom.

General Motors Corp's shares rise 21.5 percent in Frankfurt and Ford is up 12.5 percent .

S&P 500 companies due to report quarterly results: Micron Tech. , Monsanto .

Weekly jobless claims due at 8:30 a.m. EDT; February durable goods orders at 10 a.m. EDT.

(Reporting by Peter Starck)