Futures point to a slightly positive open as investors gear up for earnings

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open Monday, as investors turned their attention to upcoming corporate earnings reports. Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 27 points, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 2 points and 10.75 points, respectively. Major earnings are set to dominate discussion on Wall Street, as Charles Schwab (SCHW)and Netflix (NFLX) get ready to post their latest financial figures. Looking to data, the Empire State Manufacturing survey jumped to 30.2 in October from 24.4 in September. Looking to the U.S. Federal Reserve, investors are likely to be digesting the latest comments from the central bank's chair, Janet Yellen, who delivered remarks Sunday. In spite of subdued inflation, Yellen said in Washington that the U.S. economy remains robust and the strength of the labor markets makes the case for gradual increases in interest rates, Reuters reported. Switching focus to Monday, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari is expected to deliver remarks at the G100 Dinner and Discussion event in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In commodities , crude futures rose in early trade, as concerns surrounding potential new sanctions on Iran by the U.S., as well as conflict taking place in Iraq, boosted prices. At 8:36 a.m. ET, U.S. crude traded just around $52.22 per barrel, while Brent hovered around $58.25.

In the latest surrounding politics, senior U.S. administration officials said over the weekend that the States remained committed to being part of the Iran nuclear accord for the time being, in spite of President Donald Trump's warnings that he might withdraw, according to Reuters. Overseas, European stocks were flat, while markets in Asia closed on a mostly positive note.

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