Stocks are set to open steady ahead of economic data Friday morning. Less than thirty minutes before the opening bell, stock index futures indicate that both the Dow and NASDAQ will open little changed.

Economic data will drive some of the trading. A GDP report released before the opening bell showed the US economy growing at a 5.9 percent annual rate in the second quarter, which was a bit better than the 5.7 percent rate economists had expected.

The Chicago Purchasing Manager’s Index [PMI] is due out at 9:45 a.m. eastern time. Economists expect the gauge of regional manufacturing activity to decline to 59.7 in February, down from 61.5 the month before.

The University of Michigan Sentiment Index follows at 9:55 and Existing Home Sales are scheduled for 10:00. The sentiment index is expected to edge up to 73.9 in February, up from 73.7 earlier this month. Existing homes sales are expected at an annual rate of 5.5 million for January, up from 5.45 million the prior month.

Bonds are holding modest gains ahead of the data. The benchmark ten-year Treasury is up 3/32nd and now yields 3.62 percent.

The dollar edged up .09 to 89.22 against the Japanese yen. The euro added. .0023 to 1.3555 against the buck.

Action in the commodities market is mixed. While crude oil is up 50 cents to $78.67 a barrel, gold lost $1.50 to $1107 an ounce.

Among the stocks to watch, AIG is down 6.5 percent after reporting a worse-than-expected $8.9 billion quarterly loss. Gap Stores (GPS) edged higher after reporting a 51-cent per share quarterly profit, which beat Street estimates by one penny. Hansen Natural (HANS) and Assured Guaranty (AGO) are also seeing post-earnings strength. LEAP, Crocs (CROX), and Fluor (FLR) are seeing post-earnings weakness. Motorala (MOT) is down 2 percent after UBS downgraded the stock to Neutral from Buy.