This morning, the S&P 500 Index e-mini futures (ES-U3) are trading higher by 8.00 points to 1661.00 per contract. The markets seem to be getting a boost from Asia which was strong last night. The important and highly followed Nikkei 225 Index (Japan) finished higher by 2.48 percent. This tells us that the Japanese ADR’s could be strong at the start of the trading day if the U.S. markets are strong. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index surged higher by 3.41 percent. Often, when the Shanghai stock index rallies it will help to boost mining stocks such as Rio Tinto plc (NYSE:RIO), and BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE:BHP).