Futures Up in Last Week of Month



U.S. stock index futures were higher Monday morning, as traders monitor geopolitical tensions, in particular between the United States and Iran.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average progressed 66 points, or 0.3%, to 26,763.

Futures for the S&P 500 moved up 6.75 points, or 0.2%, at 2,957.25.

NASDAQ futures gained 24.5 points, or 0.3%, to 7,776

Investors are following developments in the trade war between the U.S. and China, after the Chinese government said it would like Washington to stop "inappropriate" action against Chinese firms.

However, market players are also heavily focused on geopolitics and in the escalating tensions between Iran and the U.S. Over the weekend, President Trump announced that the U.S. will impose "major" additional sanctions on Iran on Monday but Iran dismissed the threat as “just propaganda.”

On the data front, the calendar is thin with Dallas Fed manufacturing data due later this morning.

There are no major corporate earnings to note.

Overseas, the Nikkei 225 eked up 0.1% Monday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index crept up 0.1%

Oil prices added 40 cents to $57.83 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices advanced $11.60 to $1,411.70 U.S. an ounce.