08:49 AM EDT, 03/24/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures rose ahead of Monday's opening bell, reflecting expectations that the White House would implement a less strict tariff policy.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained 0.9%, S&P 500 futures increased 1.1%, and Nasdaq futures were up 1.4%.

US President Donald Trump is likely to exclude certain sectors from a slate of tariffs scheduled to take effect on April 2, media outlets reported over the weekend.

The personal income and outlays report for February, which includes the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation metric, is scheduled to be released on Friday.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.5% at $71.96 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.6% higher at $68.66 per barrel.

The Purchasing Managers' index report for March is scheduled for release at 9:45 am ET.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.2% lower, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.9% higher, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.2% higher. Meanwhile, UK's FTSE 100 slipped 0.3%, and Germany's DAX index gained 0.1% in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, shares of James Hardie (JHX) were down 11% after the company agreed to acquire Azek Company ( AZEK ) for $8.75 billion.

On the winning side, Azek ( AZEK ) stock was up 23%. U Power ( UCAR ) shares advanced 7% after the company unveiled a joint venture with SUSCO to offer battery-swapping technology in Thailand.