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U.S. stock index futures rose ahead of Monday's open as investors looked to build on a sharp rally seen Friday.
Around 7:35 a.m. ET, Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 90 points, indicating a higher open of 113.49 points. Nasdaq 100 and the S&P 500 futures also indicated a positive start to the session for their respective markets.
The moves in premarket follow strong gains seen in the previous session. On Friday, the major averages all jumped more than 1 percent as shares of Apple hit an all-time high on news that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought 75 million shares of the company in the first quarter.
On Monday, investors also looked to the energy markets as oil prices hit highs not seen since late 2014 . Prior to the U.S. open, U.S. crude rose above $70 per barrel, while Brent hit $75.89 — a level not seen since November 2014 —before paring back some of its gains.
Oil prices were on the rise on the back of concerns surrounding Venezuela's economic situation and the future of the Iran nuclear deal. The energy market and stocks in the sector will therefore be in focus during Monday's session.
Looking to the central banking space, a number of members of the U.S. Federal Reserve are scheduled to speak at key engagements.
Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin is expected to appear at George Mason University in Virginia, while a number of Fed officials are expected to be at the Atlanta Fed's 23rd Annual Financial Markets Conference .
Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan, Chicago Fed President Charles Evans, and Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker are all scheduled to attend the event in Amelia Island, Florida.
Investors will also be keeping an eye out for any news surrounding the Iran nuclear deal. On Sunday, President Hassan Rouhani stated that Iran had a plan to counter any move made by the U.S. President when it comes to the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Trump has set a deadline of May 12 for the deal to be changed or has said he could withdraw the U.S. from it. Iran's Rouhani went on to add yesterday that the U.S. would be "making a mistake" is it chose to exit the accord; Reuters reported.
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