(MENAFN– ecpulse) U.S. stock markets are set for a positive open on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average aiming for a new record level, shrugging off escalating tensions in Ukraine.
Global stock markets and stock futures on Wall Street all were higher ahead of the opening in the U.S., ignoring Sunday’s vote in a region in East Ukraine that showed a vast majority in favor of independence.
The referendum, which was organized by pro-Russian separatists, was condemned by several Western nations and Ukraine itself.
European Union foreign ministers will discuss the Ukraine situation on Monday but are unlikely to announce any new sanctions against Russia or separatist leaders before Ukraine`s presidential election due on May 25.
The key U.S. stock indexes all pushed up Friday. The Dow`s close of 16,583.3 narrowly topped the previous record set on April 30. The S&P 500 and NASDAQ also closed notably in positive territory.
-Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.194% to 16559
-Futures on the S&P 500 index gained 0.235% to 1877.80
-Futures on the NASDAQ 100 gained 0.275% to 3557.75 . As of 06:15 a.m. ET
There are no major quarterly results coming out Monday as earnings season draws to an end. But a number of retailers including Macy`s, Wal-Mart and J.C. Penney will report later in the week.
European markets were quiet in early Monday trading, with most indices rising.
Most major markets in Asia ended higher on Monday, with the Shanghai Composite Index soaring over 2%, and the Hang Seng rising 1.8%.
The Mumbai Sensex index also shot into record levels today as India`s marathon parliamentary elections come to an end. Exit polls are due to be published after the market close Monday.
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