09:00 AM EDT, 10/27/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were up ahead of Monday's opening bell as traders monitored developments surrounding a potential US-China trade deal.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.5% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.8%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.3% higher.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US and China have agreed on a framework for a potential trade deal, which will be discussed during a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, according to media reports.

Oil prices were little changed, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 0.1% at $65.17 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.1% higher at $61.55 per barrel.

The Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey for October is scheduled for release at 10:30 am ET.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 2.5% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 1.1% higher, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 1.2% higher. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was up 0.1%, and Germany's DAX index was flat in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, Avidity Biosciences ( RNA ) stock was up 43% after the company agreed to a $72-per-share takeover by Novartis ( NVS ) .

On the losing side, Novartis ( NVS ) shares were 1.4% lower. Genenta Science (GNTA) stock was down 35% after the company priced overnight a $15 million registered direct offering of American depositary shares.