US pre-open: Stocks seen up after Netflix impresses; Goldman earnings eyed

US futures pointed to a solid open on Wall Street on Tuesday following blowout earnings from Netflix and as investors eyed the latest numbers from investment banking behemoth Goldman Sachs.

At 1135 BST, Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures were all 0.5% firmer.

Oanda analyst Craig Erlam said: "With geopolitical concerns appearing to ease in recent days, risk appetite is gradually returning to financial markets with US indices poised to open in the green for a second consecutive session.

"Sentiment naturally remains quite fragile but in the absence of an escalation after the US, UK and French strikes in Syria over the weekend and assuming no more trade war threats - both of which are far from guaranteed - indices could continue to gradually pare the losses made since late January. Earnings season could provide a welcome good news distraction in the meantime, with 13 S&P 500 companies due to report."

On the corporate front, earnings from Goldman Sachs ahead of the bell will be eyed, particularly after Bank of America managed to impress with its quarterly numbers on Monday. Earnings are also due from UnitedHealth and Johnson & Johnson before the open, while IBM and United Continental will report after the close of markets.

Meanwhile, Netflix was set to rally at the open after its first-quarter earnings late on Monday.

IG analyst Chris Beauchamp said: "Netflix’s numbers last night helped to bolster risk sentiment, acting as a pleasant throwback to the heady days of 2017, when all seemed to be rosy. The group continues to find new subscribers, allowing it to remain in the ‘growth stock’ end of the market, permitting investors to ignore its growing debt pile."

Tesla was also likely to be in focus after the electric car maker said it had halted production of its Model 3 for a second time.

On the data front, housing starts and building permits are due at 1330 BST, while industrial production and capacity utilisation are out at 1415 BST.

Investors will also eye speeches from a number of Federal Reserve policymakers later in the day, with John Williams, Randal Quarles, Patrick Harker and Charles Evans all due to make appearances.