Ub News

U.S. stocks are set to rise for the fourth straight day as investors gain confidence in a building economic recovery.

Traders get key reports Wednesday on consumer spending and income as well as new home sales that are expected to show further improvement.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 36 points to 10444, while those for the S&P 500 gained 5.4 points to 1119. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 were up 8 points to 1849.

On Tuesday, a positive report on the housing market helped stocks in tallying a third day of gains, with the materials sector pacing the rise. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 50.79 points to 10464.93, the S&P 500 Index rose 3.97 points to 1182.02, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 15.01 points to 2252.67.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Citigroup’s Citibank subsidiary was hacked over the summer, or even earlier, by cyber criminals thought to be part of a Russian gang associated with members of the hacking enterprise, Russian Business Network. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C, $3.34, -$0.08, -2.34%) rose 0.90 percent to $3.37 on Wednesday morning pre-market trading session, while on Tuesday, shares of Citigroup fell 2.34 percent, closed on $3.34.

Corporate-uniform maker Cintas Corp.’s (CTAS) fiscal second-quarter results missed expectations as high unemployment cut into the need for uniforms. The company said it appeared business had stabilized but steady growth likely won’t return until hiring resumes. “We believe that current analyst expectations for Cintas revenue and earnings are too optimistic,” Chief Executive Scott Farmer said. Cintas Corp. (NASDAQ:CTAS, $29.68, +$0.06, 0.20%) dropped 9.16 percent to $26.96 on Wednesday morning pre-market trading session, while on Tuesday, Cintas shares jumped 0.20 percent, closed on $29.68.

3Com Corp (COMS) reported second quarter net income of $19.99 million or $0.05 per share, compared to $12.87 million or $0.03 per share last year. 3Com Corp. (NASDAQ:COMS, $7.48, -$0.04, -0.53%) rose 0.27 percent to $7.50 on Wednesday morning pre-market trading session, while on Tuesday, shares of 3Com fell 0.53 percent, closed on $7.48.

FSI International Inc. (FSII) said its fiscal first-quarter revenue rose 19% and it achieved a break-even quarter. The maker of cleaning products for technology manufacturers said it expects 2010 results to improve. FSI International, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSII, $2.00, +$0.01, 0.50%) jumped 15.00 percent to $2.30 on Wednesday morning pre-market trading session, even on Tuesday, FSI International shares were up 0.50 percent, closed on $2.00.

Chimera Investment Corp. (CIM) boosted its quarterly dividend rate again, this time raising the payment to 17 cents a share from 12 cents. The real estate investment trust has raised its dividend each quarter this year. Chimera Investment Corp. (NYSE:CIM, $3.90, +$0.06, 1.56%) rose 6.41 percent to $4.15 on Wednesday morning pre-market trading session, even on Tuesday, shares of Chimera climbed 1.56 percent, closed on $3.90.

Finish Line swung to a surprise fiscal third-quarter profit as the athletic outfitter recorded a tax benefit as well as improved margins. Finish Line’s better-than-expected results ended a four-quarter streak of losses. The Finish Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:FINL, $10.00, +$0.17, 1.73%) jumped 9.90 percent to $10.99 on Wednesday morning pre-market trading session, even on Tuesday, Finish Line shares were up 1.73 percent, closed on $10.00.