US stock futures up on hope Greek vote is scuttled (AP)

NEW YORK ? Stocks are opening higher as hopes grow that a plan to tackle the European debt crisis will survive.

The European Central Bank surprised markets early Thursday by cutting its benchmark interest rate.

Shortly after the open Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average is up 128 points, or 1.1 percent, to 11,969. The S&P 500 index is up 12 points, or 1 percent, to 1,250. The Nasdaq is up 23, or 0.9 percent, to 2,663.

The Labor Department said the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits dipped slightly last week.

Greece's prime minister surprised markets with a call this week to put a European rescue package to a vote. The prime minister was in an emergency meeting Thursday after members of his government called for him to step down.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/stocks/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111103/ap_on_bi_st_ma_re/us_wall_street

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