US STOCKS-Futures boosted by energy companies, Nordstrom

* Futures rise helped by energy companies, Nordstrom

* Consumer sentiment and housing data on tap

* Yahoo shares rise in Europe

By Kristina Cooke

NEW YORK, May 16 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures rose on Friday, after upscale department store chain Nordstrom Inc (JWN.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) reported earnings that topped Wall Street estimates and higher oil prices boosted energy companies.

Investors awaited data on consumer sentiment and housing that could shed more light on the health of the U.S. economy.

In Europe, shares rose to a four-month high, lifted by pharmaceutical and energy shares. In Asia, shares ended mixed.

While the weak U.S. economy took its toll on Nordstrom, investors had expected worse as shoppers' ability to spend has been squeezed by high gasoline prices, rising food costs and a deteriorating housing market. Nordstrom shares rose more than 2 percent after the bell on Thursday.

U.S. energy companies such as Chevron Corp (CVX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) (CVX.F: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) climbed in Frankfurt as oil rose above $126 a barrel.