US futures markets are up today

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is one of three US futures markets that has responded well to growing confidence over possible action in the eurozone to curb budgets and tackle debts.

Ahead of this week's crunch talks between French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel, markets reacted positively this morning as fears over a collapse of the single currency have subsided.

The DJIA futures market has risen by 0.78 per cent today, while Nasdaq 100 futures were up by 0.74 per cent and the S&P 500 futures sector saw gains of 0.86 per cent.

"A wave of relative optimism has taken hold as players optimistically eye the outcome of the December 9th EU meetings for some clarity," commented rates strategist Padhraic Garvey at Dutch bank ING.

The news follows a strong last week for the DJIA, with a 4.2 per cent rise registered on November 30th as US central banks pledged to offer additional funds to help beleaguered financial institutions that have been affected by the eurozone crisis.