(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock

markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window.)

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Futures flat: Dow up 0.03%, S&P 500 up 0.03%, Nasdaq down

0.02%

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Fluor gains after reports Starboard has taken nearly 5%

stake

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Health insurers rise after upbeat results from Elevance

(Updates prices)

By Pranav Kashyap and Twesha Dikshit

Oct 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were little

changed on Tuesday, pausing after Wall Street's strong rally in

the previous session, as investors assessed a wave of quarterly

earnings from major corporations and awaited updates on

U.S.-China trade talks.

All three major indexes had closed with gains of more than

1% on Monday, marking their best day in over a week, fueled by

AI-driven optimism, upbeat earnings expectations and easing

concerns over regional bank credit quality.

Markets will face a fresh litmus test with heavyweights,

including Tesla, IBM ( IBM ), Procter & Gamble ( PG ), Intel ( INTC )

and Ford, set to report results this week.

At 07:17 a.m., Dow E-minis were up 14 points, or

0.03%, Nasdaq 100 E-minis were down 4.5 points, or

0.02%, and S&P 500 E-minis were up 1.75 points, or

0.03%.

Futures tied to the small-cap Russell 2000 also

edged lower. The index had jumped nearly 2% in the

previous session, as markets priced in an interest rate cut from

the Federal Reserve in October.

Health insurers gained in premarket trading after Elevance

beat estimates for third-quarter profit. UnitedHealth ( UNH )

and Humana were up 1.9% and 1.1%, respectively.

Regional bank earnings are also in focus to get a closer

read on the sector's health after fears of systemic stress

sparked a selloff last week.

But with markets hovering near record highs, investors will

not just watch earnings beats but also margin resilience and

forward guidance, especially amid trade tensions and lingering

inflation concerns.

"It's hard to imagine that markets were in panic mode only

four days ago," said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

"It's like all the troubles faded away over the weekend, and

investors are back in risk-on mode."

Sentiment got a boost after White House economic adviser

Kevin Hassett said on Monday the U.S. government shutdown was

likely to end this week.

U.S. President Donald Trump also struck a positive tone on

trade, saying he expects to reach a "fair deal" with Chinese

President Xi Jinping, while downplaying tensions over Taiwan.

Investors will closely monitor Trump's upcoming meeting with

Xi on the sidelines of next week's economic summit in South

Korea.

Among other stocks, Fluor jumped 5.8% in premarket

trading, after reports said activist investor Starboard Value

has taken a nearly 5% stake in the construction firm.

GE Aerospace added 1.3% after the company raised its

2025 profit forecast.

General Motors ( GM ) gained 9.2% after lifting its forecast

for the year on an improved tariff outlook.

Coca-Cola rose 2.4% as the company beat third-quarter

expectations on steady demand for sodas.

Northrop Grumman ( NOC ) slipped 2.7% after the defense

contractor lowered full-year sales forecast.