US STOCKS-Futures edge up after Geithner comments, China data

                                
   * U.S. can end some of extraordinary support-Geithner
                                
 * Chinese data surprises on upside in August
                                
 * Futures up: S&P 1.70 pts, Dow 1 pt, Nasdaq 5.25 pt
                                
 (Adds details. updates prices)
                                
 NEW YORK, Sept 11 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures
indicated a modestly higher open on Friday as positive remarks
from Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner supported optimism for
a recovery, but Wall Street could stall after five days of
gains.
                                
 Underscoring optimism the global economy is pulling out of
its slump was surprisingly strong industrial output and other
economic data from China. For details, see[ID:nPEK13979]
                                
 Geithner said on Thursday that with a strengthening economy
the government can end some of the extraordinary support put in
place for markets and prepare for a slow recovery.
[ID:nLB484541]
                                
 Appearing before the Congressional Oversight Panel for the
$700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, Geithner said the
economy was in far better shape now than a year ago when it was
"on the verge of collapse," though it still had problems.
                                
 "The general economic recovery -- which you get more and
more testimony on everyday -- is causing investors to rebuild
equity portfolios and continue to buy stocks," said Rick
Meckler, president of investment firm LibertyView Capital
Management in New York.
                                
 "Geithner only helped support that idea that things in
general are improving and it has led to a period of a very
sustained rally."
                                
 But stocks could be ripe for profit taking after racking up
five days of gains on Thursday, the longest winning streak
since November.
                                
 S&P 500 futures <SPc2> rose 1.70 points and were 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 <DJc2> gained 1
point, and Nasdaq 100 <NDc2> futures added 5.25 points.
                                
 Data on tap includes the Reuters/University of Michigan
Surveys of Consumers preliminary September consumer sentiment
index at 9:55 a.m. EDT (1355 GMT). Economists in a Reuters
survey expect a reading of 67.3 compared with 65.7 in the final
August report.
                                
 Investors have been looking for any signs of life from the
consumer as anemic spending remains one of the biggest
challenges facing a strong recovery.
                                
 Morgan Stanley <MS.N> Chief Executive John Mack is stepping
down and will be replaced by retail brokerage head James Gorman
as the bank embraces stable businesses after losing big on
risky ones. [ID:nN10279831]
                                
 National Semiconductor Corp <NSM.N> slipped 1.7 percent to
$15.70 in premarket trading after the chipmaker reported
better-than-expected first-quarter results. National Semi's
stock has gained more than 30 percent in the past two
months.[ID:nN10412314]
                                
 Shares of American International Group Inc <AIG.N> tumbled
2.9 percent to $38.75 before the bell after Wells Fargo
Securities downgraded the insurer to "underperform." The
brokerage said AIG has virtually no tangible book value at the
moment and that its shares are overpriced. [ID:nBNG450906]
                                
 (Reporting by Leah Schnurr; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)