US futures markets are showing small gains at the moment in the countdown to US open. Asia got off to a generally positive day with Tokyo and Sydney posting moderate gains whilst Europe is mostly flat in a lacklustre start to the week. Today also brings with it the start of the reporting season with long-term laggard Alcoa set to kick off proceedings. Later in the week Google and JPMorgan et al report – all up analysts are pretty upbeat with most expecting results to beat expectations. Overall players remain wary with bears quick to point out the continuing run of low volume days.