Stock index futures were higher on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session, as investors awaited a final reading on third-quarter economic growth and existing home sales data.

Gross domestic product is seen up 2.8 percent, according to a Reuters survey of economists.

Home sales were expected to post their third straight monthly straight monthly increase in November, a sign that the troubled housing market could be stabilizing. The Richmond Fed survey for December is also on tap.

Ford Motor Co said late Monday it was offering buyouts and early retirement to all of its 41,000 U.S. factory workers, but did not provide a target number for how many would take the offers.

S&P 500 futures rose 5.1 points and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures gained 43 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures added 12 points.

February crude futures slid 0.7 percent to $73.22 per barrel after OPEC agreed to leave its production targets unchanged. Investors awaited the release of data expected to show a fall in U.S. crude oil inventories. The U.S. dollar index <.DXY> was flat.

The proposed merger Live Nation Inc and Ticketmaster Inc was given a boost after a British regulatory body dropped objections and approved the deal.

Companies scheduled to report quarterly results on Tuesday include Micron Technology Inc , Cintas Corp and Red Hat Inc .

Japan's Nikkei average <.N225> rose 1.9 percent to reach a three-month closing high on Tuesday, as a weaker yen lifted exporters, while Isuzu Motors Ltd <7202.T> jumped on a report the truckmaker wants to develop new diesel engines for General Motors .

European stocks were broadly higher Tuesday morning, led by oil and banks shares.

U.S. stocks rose on Monday, with the Nasdaq hitting a 15-month high, after brokerages upgraded two Dow components on improved profit prospects. In addition, healthcare stocks advanced after a bill to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system passed a crucial test in the U.S. Senate. The measure is perceived as less damaging to industry profits than expected.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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