AGN - Futures Rise on Trade Optimism

Stocks were set to open higher on Tuesday, following a record close in the previous session, as investors grew more bullish on a potential U.S.-China trade deal as both sides consider more rollbacks in tariffs.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials gained 79 points, or 0.3%, early Tuesday to 27,459.

Futures for the S&P 500 picked up 6.25 points, or 0.2%, at 3,082, following Monday's record close.

The NASDAQ Composite heightened 19.75 points, or 0.2%, to 8,235, after the index also enjoyed a record close on Friday.

Major averages are on track for a third straight positive session. The Dow's year-to-date gain now stands at around 18%, while the S&P 500 is up more than 22% and the NASDAQ more than 27% so far this year.

On the earnings front, Allergan and Becton Dickinson are set to report before the bell on Tuesday.

Traders will also have eyes on a raft of economic data Tuesday morning. September balance of trade, import and export figures are due for release at 9:30 a.m. ET before November Redbook data at 9:55 a.m. ET.

Composite and services PMI (purchasing managers' index) numbers for October are expected at 10:45 a.m. ET, followed by non-manufacturing PMI and a host of other non-manufacturing figures at 11: a.m. ET.

China is pushing President Donald Trump to remove more tariffs on about $125 billion worth of Chinese goods imposed in September as part of the "phase one" trade deal, according to overnight media reports. A U.S. official told reporters the fate of the Dec. 15 tariffs is being considered as part of negotiations.

Overseas, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 returned from holiday to gain 1.8%, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index added 0.5%,

Oil prices added 42 cents to $56.96 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices floundered $11.80 to $1,499.30 U.S. an ounce.