US stock futures rose ahead of a report on new home sales and this week's Federal Reserve policy meeting.

US new home sales are expected to have fallen by 1.9% to 455,000 in December, compared to a drop of 2.1% to 464,000 a month earlier.

The data comes as the central bank prepared to review further monetary stimulus cuts at its next meeting on Wednesday.

The Fed last month decided to start winding back monthly bond purchases by $10bn to $75bn.

Today will be thin on the release of economic data so investors are likely to focus on company earnings.

Mining and construction equipment maker Caterpillar has forecast earnings and revenue for 2014 that beat analysts' estimates.

Apple is expected to report its first profit increase in more than a year in its first quarter results today on the back of demand for iPads and iPhones.

JP Morgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Jamie Dimon is set to receive an increase in his pay within months, according to Bloomberg.

US cable operator Liberty Global has agreed to buy Dutch company Ziggo in a €6.9bn deal.

RD

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