U.S. stock futures pointed to a negative opening Tuesday, while Canadian investors awaited second quarter earnings reports from the big banks.

In business news, BCE Inc. has been granted a quick hearing by the Supreme Court of Canada on a Quebec court decision that has jeopardized Canada’s largest corporate takeover. The Supreme Court has not decided whether to hear the case, but granted BCE an expedited process.

Crude oil was at US$133.27 a barrel early Tuesday, up by US$1.08 from Friday’s settle.

There are no major economic releases from Statistics Canada today.

The Canadian dollar opened at US100.99¢, up 0.18 cent.

South of the border, reports are due on consumer confidence, home prices for March, and new-home sales for April.

Overseas, Hong Kon’s Hang Seng index improved 0.6% to 24,282.04 after shedding nearly 1,500 points over the last week.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 1.5% to 13,893.31.

In Europe, Britain’s FTSE 100 was off 0.5% near midday in London while Germany’s DAX index declined 0.4% and the Paris CAC-40 was down 0.8%.

Toronto markets moved in a narrow range Monday and trading activity was sluggish with U.S. markets closed for the Memorial Day holiday.

The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 35.21points, or 0.24%, at 14,758.57, as nine of the 10 major TSX groups gained ground.

The financials group advanced 0.23%, as Canada’s big banks head into a week of earnings reports.

Bank of Montreal shares closed up 48¢, or 0.99%, at $49 the day before its scheduled to report. And the other big bank reporting tomorrow, the Bank of Nova Scotia, saw its stock gain 60¢, or 1.26%, to close at $48.20.

Meanwhile, CIBC stock closed down 2¢, or 0.03%, at $72.23, as investors are concerned about further writedowns related the credit crisis.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index closed up 12.38 points, or 0.46%, at 2,718.75.