U.S. stock index futures were slightly higher Monday, following a sharp rally last Friday after a better-than-expected government jobs and amid ongoing expectations that the ECB would step in to address the region's debt crisis.
U.S. stocks snapped a 4-day losing streak on Friday to reach 3-month highs after non-farm payrolls rose by a seasonally adjusted 163,000 in July. Meanwhile, a gain in the unemployment rate to 8.3 percent from 8.2 percent was viewed by market participants as keeping the door open for further economic stimulus measures from the Federal Reserve.
Meanwhile, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said although broad measurements of the economy point to recovery, many people and businesses are still facing tough times. He did not discuss the outlook for monetary policy or refer to the recent jobs report.
Knight Capital Group announced a $400 million dealwith a group of investors that will help the company in business. The deal is expected to close later this morning. Knight Capital plunged more than 30 percent in pre-market trading.
Best Buy soared more than 20 percent in pre-market trading after founder Richard Schulze, who resigned from the company's board earlier this month, offered to buy the consumer electronics retailer for between $24 and $26 a share.
Las Vegas Sands edged lower after the resort company became the target of a federal investigation amid possible violations of U.S. money-laundering laws, according to reports.