Stocks to open higher after inflation report

Stocks were poised to open slightly higher Friday, as investors reacted to the latest reading on inflation, and continued to look for signs that the U.S. economy is on solid footing.

The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU), S&P 500 (SPX) and Nasdaq (COMP) futures rose about 0.2% ahead of the opening bell. Stock futures indicate the possible direction of the markets when they open at 9:30 a.m. ET.

In a monthly report issued before the opening bell, the government said that inflation increased 0.4% in February -- a number in line with expectations.