US Stocks See Early Rise

U.S. stock futures are higher in morning trade Tuesday as the drop in crude oil prices and corporate news is overshadowing escalating radiation concerns in the aftermath of Japan's nuclear crisis.

Dow futures are up 29 points, Nasdaq 100 futures up 4.50 and S&P 500 futures up 3.25.

Crude is down $0.80 to $103.18 per barrel as the situation in Libya appears easing with rebels gaining ground and promising to bring back oil exports.

In corporate news, General Electric (NYSE: GE) entered into an agreement for a 90 percent acquisition of energy solutions company Converteam in a deal that values it at $3.7 billion.

Homebuilder Lennar (NYSE: LEN) reported a surprise profit Tuesday morning of $0.14 per share, which was handily above the Wall Street consensus of a $0.05 loss. Revenue in the quarter fell 2.9 percent to $558.05 million, but beat the Street's view of $508.23 million. Lennar said orders were down 12 percent to 2,267, with a 17 percent cancellation rate.

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