U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher opening as falling oil prices fueled hopes for higher consumer spending. Those positive signs were tempered by worries about weakness in the U.S. housing market.

The National Association or Realtors’ Report on sales of existing homes in the U.S. for August is due out this morning. Some reports suggest the numbers are down from July, and there are concerns the housing market slowdown could slow economic growth.

European markets rose in early trading, while Asian markets are mixed on worries of a U.S. economic slowdown.

Toronto stocks were down Friday, as commodity prices continued their recent downward trend.

The S&P/TSX composite index fell 46.13, or 0.40%, to 11,581.61.

Eight of the 10 TSX main sub-groups were down, with the energy sector falling 1.42%.

Light sweet crude for November delivery lost $1.04 to close at US$60.55 a barrel.

Yamana Resources fell 10¢, or 0.97%, to $10.18.

The December contract for bullion fell 90¢ to US$587.40 an ounce.

Kinross Gold gained 6¢, or 0.46%, to $13.22.

The Canadian dollar closed at US89.48¢, up 0.11 of a cent.

The S&P/TSX Venture Exchange index gained 6.65, or 0.27%, to 2,482.10.

In New York, continued worries over a slowing economy depressed the markets.

The Dow Jones industrial average was off 25.13, or 0.22%, to 11,508.10; the S&P500 fell 3.25, or 0.25%, to 1,314.78; and the Nasdaq lost 18.82, or 0.84%, to 2,218.93.