US STOCKS-Futures flat ahead of data, after HP results

                                
   * HP Q4 results meet prelim figures, buyback boosted
                                
 * GDP, consumer sentiment data on tap
                                
 * Heinz raises full-year forecast
                                
 * For up-to-the-minute market news, click [STXNEWS/US]
                                
 (Updates prices, adds quote)
                                
 By Ryan Vlastelica
                                
 NEW YORK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were
little changed on Tuesday, ahead of data on third-quarter GDP
and consumer confidence and following a strong advance in
Monday's session.
                                
 The preliminary estimate on gross domestic product growth,
November consumer sentiment data as well as the September
Case/Shiller housing price index could provide insight into how
firmly a recovery has taken hold.
                                
 "The data is going to be the market driver today, and after
the rally we had yesterday, investors are waiting to see what
the data comes in at before they jump in one way or the other,"
said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Avalon Partners
in New York.
                                
 "The market's momentum is still to the upside, so if the
data is better than expected, we could see another strong
rally."
                                
 Hewlett-Packard Co <HPQ.N> reported a quarterly profit that
matched its preliminary results late Monday, and said that
while the economy remained challenging, it saw signs of a
recovery. For details, see [ID:nN23242457]
                                
 H.J. Heinz Co <HNZ.N> posted a drop in second-quarter
earnings on Tuesday, but lifted its full-year profit view.
[ID:nN24235268].
                                
 Analog Devices Inc <ADI.N> and Brocade Communications
Systems Inc <BRCD.O> both reported quarterly results that beat
expectations late Monday. Analog Devices also forecast higher
profit margins. [ID:nN23273180] and [ID:nN23258074]
                                
 Investors have been closely watching the technology sector,
which is generally considered one of the first to recover from
recession.
                                
 S&P 500 futures <SPc1> rose 2.3 points and were modestly
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 <DJc1>
were up 2 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures <NDc1> added 0.25
points.
                                
 In overseas markets, Hong Kong and China stocks fell, with
the Shanghai composite index <.SSEC> off 3.5 percent, dragged
down by banks. European stocks were little changed, though
financials were pressured. [ID:nHKG200596] and [ID:nGEE5AN0TP]
                                
 Kenneth Feinberg, the Obama administration's pay czar, is
being pressed by federal officials to relax executive
compensation restrictions at American International Group Inc
<AIG.N> for 2010, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing
sources. [ID:nGEE5AN04Y]
                                
 U.S. stocks snapped a three-day losing streak on Monday, as
stronger-than-expected home sales data fueled optimism while a
weaker dollar boosted commodity-linked stocks.