Technology giant Apple is expected to release strong results for the 3rd quarter of the year later.

It comes nearly 11 months after Tim Cook took over as CEO shortly before the death of company founder Steve Jobs.

In March the iPad and Mac maker announced plans to bring in a dividend of US$2.65 per share in the 4th quarter of the year.

It is its first dividend since 1995.

Apple results could help stocks build on gains last week and counter investor worries over the Eurozone crisis.

It is a busy week for Wall Street with social media giant Facebook also set to announce its first quarterly earnings.

The first results from Facebook following its market debut could give investors another chance to indicate how they feel about the stock since its disappointing initial public offering (IPO).

Shares of Facebook were one of the most closely watched IPOs ever.

They lost ground after technical problems with its market debut on Nasdaq and as investors questioned its ability to rapidly increase advertising revenue.