🔔 Before the Bell:  U.S. stock futures edged higher Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up about 0.6%, the S&P 500 up 0.9%, and the Nasdaq 100 jumping 1.4% as of 05:35 ET.

Sentiment was lifted by growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates (markets currently price in a ~25 bps cut this week) and by reports of a “framework understanding” between the U.S. and China on trade, including a pause in rare-earth export restrictions.

Also on watch: major tech earnings (including Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon) and the distortion of economic data release schedules due to the extended federal shutdown. Gold slipped ~2% to ~$4,030/oz and crude oil eased to $64.69 for Brent and $61.02 for WTI as risk-on sentiment strengthened... 3-min market recap >>