U.S. stock futures recorded slight gains on Monday ahead of this week's Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting, as investors analyze the complexities surrounding Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery's TV and film assets. The Japanese economy contracted sharply in the third quarter, while Chinese exports generally recovered, even as exports to the U.S. fell significantly.

1. U.S. futures maintain positive tone

U.S. stock futures rose slightly on Monday, holding on to last week's gains, as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's last monetary policy meeting of the year.

At 04:40 (Brasília time), the S&P 500 futures traded 13 points, or 0.2%, higher, the Nasdaq 100 futures were up 87 points, or 0.3%, and Dow futures advanced 24 points, or 0.1%.

The three main U.S. stock indices recorded positive weeks last week, the second consecutive, with the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ Composite also marking four-day gain streaks on Friday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was positive in three of the last four sessions.

This positive tone exists because many investors expect the Fed to ease monetary policy on Wednesday, especially after the delayed release of the September personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index on Friday, which came in weaker than expected.

Fed fund futures are pricing in an approximately 88% probability of a Fed cut, according to CME's FedWatch tool.

The economic data calendar is virtually empty on Monday, while major earnings reports for the week arrive later from companies like Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO), Adobe Systems (NASDAQ:ADBE), Oracle Financial Software (NYSE:ORCL), Costco (NASDAQ:COST), and Lululemon (NASDAQ:LULU).

2. Netflix's real battle for Warner Bros Discovery #BTC86kJPShock $BTC $XRP