MARKET SNAPSHOT: Stock-market Futures Edge Higher Ahead Of Open

Euro pares earlier losses

U.S. stock-index futures followed global equities higher on Monday as investors appeared to shrug off earlier worries about political uncertainty in Germany.

Trading volumes are likely to gradually thin out this week, given the run-up to Thanksgiving Day on Thursday and the likelihood that no action will be taken on a U.S. tax overhaul until after the holiday.

What are the main benchmarks doing?

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures climbed 24 points, or 0.1%, to 23,341, while S&P 500 futures added 2.4 points, or 0.1%, to 2,578.50. Nasdaq-100 futures inched higher by 8.25 points, or 0.1%, to 6,321.50.

On Friday, the Dow and the S&P 500 closed down 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/weekly-win-for-us-stocks-in-jeopardy-as-russia-probe-moves-closer-to-trump-2017-11-17), and the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.2%. The S&P and Dow logged a second straight week of losses as investors kept a close eye on the progress of the Republican tax cut plan. The two gauges finished last week nearly 1% below their Nov. 8 record closes.

What are other assets doing?

The euro tumbled toward the $1.17 level (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/euro-plummets-as-uncertainty-in-germany-rattles-markets-2017-11-19) early Monday after German governmental coalition talks broke down (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/merkels-future-in-doubt-as-german-coalition-negotiations-break-down-2017-11-19) on Sunday, keeping the country's government in limbo and casting doubt over Chancellor Angela Merkel's future as leader.

But the shared currency has pared losses and even briefly traded above $1.18, aided in part by a report in German newspaper Bild that the Free Democratic Party is ready to support a minority government headed by Merkel. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged the parties to engage in further talks and avoid returning to the polls.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index was higher, while the German DAX 30 index also gained after erasing morning losses (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-stage-recovery-in-wake-of-german-political-uncertainty-2017-11-20). In Asian trading hours, the Nikkei (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/euro-slides-dragging-down-asian-stock-markets-2017-11-19) dropped 0.6% after the euro's slide pushed up the yen , considered a haven in times of economic and political uncertainty.

Oil futures and gold prices drifted south.

Don't miss:The euro still 'can break higher'--analysts react to Germany's political uncertainty (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-euro-still-can-break-higher-analysts-react-to-germanys-political-uncertainty-2017-11-20)

What are strategists saying?

"With uncertainty over U.S. tax reforms and political risk in Europe eroding appetite for riskier assets, Wall Street could come under further selling pressure," said Lukman Otunuga, research analyst at FXTM, in a note.

See:This green-energy stock is getting whacked by tax-reform fears--here's how to play it (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-green-energy-stock-is-getting-whacked-by-tax-reform-fears-heres-how-to-play-it-2017-11-20)

Which stocks look like key movers?

Shares in Cavium Inc.(CAVM) rose 7% in premarket trading following news that Marvell Technology Group Ltd.(MRVL) has signed a deal to buy the fellow chip maker for about $6 billion (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/caviums-stock-surges-after-marvells-buyout-bid-in-a-deal-valued-at-6-billion-2017-11-20). Marvell 's stock was roughly flat in premarket action.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s stock (BABA) gained 1.5% premarket after the e-commerce giant said it would buy a 36% stake in Chinese big-box retailer Sun Art Retail Group Ltd. (6808.HK) for $2.9 billion (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alibaba-to-buy-29-billion-stake-in-chinese-hypermarket-chain-2017-11-20).

What economic data are due?

A report on leading economic indicators for October is scheduled for release at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

Check out:MarketWatch's Economic Calendar (http://www.marketwatch.com/economy-politics/calendars/economic)

Read:Fed speeches show readiness to raise rates next month, wariness about recession (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fed-speeches-show-readiness-to-raise-rates-next-month-and-a-wariness-about-next-recession-2017-11-17)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 20, 2017 08:49 ET (13:49 GMT)