U.S. stock-index futures gained, indicating that the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index may extend a two-year high, before a report that may show consumer sentiment in the world’s largest economy climbed this month. Beckman Coulter Inc. jumped 16 percent in German trading as people with direct knowledge of the matter said the company is considering a sale after being approached by buyout firms. Capstead Mortgage Corp. rallied after announcing a higher quarterly dividend. National Semiconductor Corp. sank 7.1 percent after predicting third-quarter sales that fell short of analysts’ estimates. Futures on the S&P 500 expiring in March 2011 rose 0.4 percent to 1,232.3 at 10:39 a.m. in London. The benchmark gauge for U.S. stocks is headed for its second straight weekly advance after President Barack Obama announced an agreement on a two- year extension of tax cuts, adding to optimism about the Federal Reserve’s plan to inject money into the economy. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures increased 0.3 percent to 11,326 today, while Nasdaq-100 Index futures advanced 0.3 percent to 2,205.5 “The underlying tone remains positive while the market is assessing the impact of the new fiscal action in the U.S.,” said Nicola Trivelli, who helps manage about 3 billion euros ($4 billion) as chief investment officer of Sella Gestioni Sgr in Milan. “Some fears about the euro-zone peripherals are still out there.” Repay Debts European stocks fluctuated today as benchmark gauges in the region’s weakest economies declined, led by Spain’s IBEX 35, amid continuing concern that countries such as Portugal and Greece will fail to repay their debts. The S&P 500 advanced 0.4 percent yesterday, taking the measure to a two-year high for a second day, as Pacific Investment Management Co., the world’s largest bond fund manager, raised its forecast for economic growth and jobless claims dropped. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan’s preliminary household sentiment index probably rose to 72.5 this month, the highest level since June, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists. The gauge averaged 89 in the five years leading up to the recession that began in December 2007. The report is due at 9:55 a.m. New York time. Exports, Imports The U.S. trade deficit was probably little changed in October as gains in exports, reflecting a weaker dollar and growing economies overseas, kept pace with rising imports, analysts said before a separate report today. The projected $43.8 billion gap would follow a $44 billion shortfall in September, according to the median estimate of 78 economists surveyed. The Commerce Department trade figures are due at 8:30 a.m. in Washington. Also at 8:30 a.m., a Labor Department report may show the import-price index rose 0.8 percent last month, reflecting higher costs for crude oil and metals, according to the Bloomberg survey median. Futures advanced even after China ordered lenders to park more money with the central bank for the third time in five weeks to counter the threat from inflation after November’s lending and trade surplus topped analysts’ estimates. Reserve requirements will increase 50 basis points starting Dec. 20, the People’s Bank of China said on its website today. Policy makers refrained from adding to October’s interest- rate increase, a strategy that may prolong the campaign to rein in inflation that reached a two-year high that month. Go Private Beckman Coulter soared 16 percent to $66.17 in Germany. The maker of laboratory equipment for scientific research, which has a market value of about $4 billion, hired Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to study whether to go private or search for a strategic buyer, said people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Blackstone Group LP and Apollo Global Management LLC are among the firms that approached Beckman, two of the people said. The process is in early stages, and any deal for the Brea, California-based company would likely be months away, the people said. Capstead Mortgage gained 1.4 percent to $12.1 as the real- estate investment trust that holds mostly adjustable-rate mortgage securities declared a fourth-quarter dividend of 39 cents a share, up from 26 cents a share in the prior period. Lower Than Predicted National Semiconductor fell 6.9 percent to $13.94 as the maker of analog integrated circuits forecast third-quarter sales that were lower than analysts predicted. Revenue this quarter will be $344 million to $359 million, compared with an average estimate of $382.3 million. Aastrom Biosciences Inc. plummeted 18 percent to $2.53 after the company, which develops cell-therapy systems, said it will sell an unspecified number of shares and warrants in a public offering. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. plunged 17 percent to $30.99 as the seller of Keurig single-cup brewers forecast first quarter profit excluding some items of 14 cents to 18 cents a share, below the average analyst estimate of 20 cents a share, according to a Bloomberg survey. Cablevision Systems Corp., F5 Networks Inc., Netflix Inc. and Newfield Exploration Co. may be active as the stocks were picked to join the S&P 500. They will take the place of King Pharmaceuticals Inc., New York Times Co., Office Depot Inc. and Eastman Kodak Co., according to a statement on S&P’s website after the close of trading yesterday. To contact the reporter on this story: Francesca Cinelli in Milan at fcinelli@bloomberg.net. To contact the editor responsible for this story: David Merritt at dmerritt1@bloomberg.net.

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