Indexes set to rise on jobs data, M

NEW YORK, Apr 9 (Reuters) U.S. stocks pointed to a higher market open on Monday as traders get the first opportunity to react to data showing stronger-than-expected job growth last month, putting to rest concerns about the economy.

In addition, several takeover deals were in the works, including a newspaper report that Dow Chemical Co. may be the target of the biggest leveraged buyout ever.

A consortium of Middle Eastern investors and American buyout firms, including Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is preparing a billion approach for the chemical company, according to the British tabloid, the Sunday Express. For details, see ID:nN08185028.

''Dow Chemical, wow!'' said Arthur Hogan, chief market analyst, Jefferies&Co. ''It reminds you how much money is on the private side. It makes a very positive statement about the economy and equity valuations. You don't have a firm like KKR taking that big a bet on something if they think we're going to have a global recession.'' S&P 500 futures were up 5.6 points, above fair value, a mathematical formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract.

Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 43 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 10.25 points.

The stock market was closed for Good Friday, so investors will have the first opportunity to react to Friday's news from the Labor Department that U.S. employers added a stronger-than-expected 180,000 new jobs in March, implying the economy remains durable despite a slowdown in housing.

In other company news, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. said it acquired a 10.9 percent stake in Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., making it the railroad company's largest shareholder ID:nN08272729.

The housing industry could be a drag on the market after American Home Mortgage Investment Corp. said on Friday it expects lower income than previously forecast. The mortgage real estate investment trust blamed conditions in the secondary mortgage and mortgage-backed securities markets. Two brokerages downgraded the stock on Monday. ID:nN06255822.

No S&P 500 companies are scheduled to report quarterly results on Monday. Most European exchanges are closed for Easter Monday and no U.S. economic indicators are scheduled for release in the U.S.

On Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 30.15 points, or 0.24 percent, to 12,560.20. The Standard&Poor's 500 Index .SPX> gained 4.39 points, or 0.30 percent, to 1,443.76. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC> advanced 12.65 points, or 0.51 percent, to 2,471.34 in its sixth straight day of gains.

REUTERS CS GC1700