US pre-open: Futures point to early gains as investors shrug off trade concerns

US futures had stocks opening higher on Monday despite reports circulating that the White House was considering delisting Chinese companies from the NYSE.

As of 1230 BST, Dow Jones futures were up 0.17%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 futures had the indices opening 0.20% and 0.33% firmer, respectively.

The Dow closed 70.87 points lower on Friday following reports that the White House was looking into limiting US investment into China, but the US Treasury later denied that any such plans were being contemplated "at this time".

Chinese state-run outlet The Global Times labelled the potential restrictions as "the latest attempt at decoupling" and cautioned that the move would have "significant repercussions" for both economies and their companies moving forward.

Oanda analyst Craig Erlam said: "It seems every time we take a step forward with the trade war and optimism rises ahead of a meeting between the two teams, we get some negative headlines."

However, Erlam noted that investors were becoming used to threats ahead of talks between the two economic superpowers, with the next round set to kick off on 10 October, adding that any follow-through would be "rather dramatic".

Elsewhere, US House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said over the weekend that Congress was hell-bent on gaining access to Donald Trump's telephone calls with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and other world leaders, citing concerns that the president had compromised national security.

On the data front, the Chicago Purchasing Manager's Index for September will be released at 1445 BST, while the Dallas Fed's Manufacturing Index will follow at 1530 BST.

No major corporate earnings were slated for release on Monday.