Stock futures were strongly positive ahead of Friday’s open, holding early gains despite mixed international and economic news. Dow futures traded 55.4 points above fair market value. Nasdaq 100 futures were steady at a 15.5-point gain. S&P 500 futures climbed 6.8 points, and small caps showed unusual strength, with the Russell 2000 ahead 8.4 points. The stock market today opens to a welter of big, early news, most of it positive.