08:12 AM EST, 01/06/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were higher pre-bell Monday, with futures of technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite outperforming other benchmarks amid continued optimism around artificial intelligence.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained 0.4%, S&P 500 futures increased 0.8%, and Nasdaq futures were up 1.1%.

Technology stocks are getting a lift after Microsoft ( MSFT ) President Brad Smith unveiled Friday the company's plan to invest $80 billion to build artificial intelligence-enabled data centers.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.7% at $77.05 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude up 0.8% at $74.50 per barrel.

US factory orders, scheduled for release at 10 am ET, are seen dropping by 0.3% in November after a 0.2% uptick in October, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.