U.S. stock futures rise on Friday after the government reports November retail sales well ahead of low expectation and data shows China's economic recovery is still roaring.

  U.S. retail sales rose an encouraging 1.3% in November, marking the third increase in the past four months, according to the Commerce Department.

  Shares in ING Group climbed nearly 7% Friday after the Dutch banking and insurance firm confirmed its plan to repay half of the state aid it’s received and said the government may be willing to renegotiate the terms for repaying the second half.

  A roundup of financial and business news breaking before the opening bell on Wall Street.

  Shares of companies making noteworthy moves in U.S. pre-market trading include Boeing, Citigroup and National Semiconductor.

  Oil futures traded slightly higher on Friday, as the International Energy Agency raised its forecast for global oil demand next year.

  A key letter editor says don’t let gold’s gut-check fool you -- the yellow metal is headed up. But how would he know?

  German banks and insurers agree to impose restrictions on bonus payouts a year earlier than previously planned.

  Miners take the lead in London on Friday, gaining after data from China indicates that recovery for the region is on track.

  French defense-electronics specialist Thales announces plans to cut costs by 1.3 billion euros over the next five years.