U.S. stock index futures gained ahead of the open Monday as investors looked to comments President Barak Obama on the economy and the Federal Reserve's policy meeting Tuesday.
Stocks made lackluster gains Friday, but managed to close higher for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen for seven of the past eight sessions. The Nasdaq has gained for eight straight sessions.
European stocks were higher across the board with shares of BP gaining after the oil major confirmed it had killed the leaking oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. BP also said that compensation claims related to the spill had jumped since it passed control to an independent administrator. Shares of BP closed lower in New York trading Friday.
Asian stocks ended mixed with light volumes as the Japanese market was closed for a public holiday.
On the economic front, President Barak Obama will discuss the state of the economy and answer questions during a live town hall event at 12 p.m. on CNBC called Investing in America at midday (Click for more).