5 things to know before the stock market opens

Stock futures are pointing higher to start the week as investors look forward to another series of earnings reports. OPEC+ agreed to temporarily halt production increases; China said it would suspend additional restrictions on rare earth elements; Kimberly-Clark announced plans to buy Tylenol maker Kenvue; Berkshire Hathaway’s latest quarterly report showed that its cash pile rose to a record high.

Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Major stock indices are preparing to open higher

Stock futures rose early Monday as investors braced for a slew of earnings reports due from major technology and pharmaceutical companies this week, including an update from AI investor favorite Palantir (PLTR) after today’s closing bell. The three major US stock indices enter today’s session after ending the month of October on a high note.

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1% recently, while contracts tied to the S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq rose 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively. Bitcoin traded at just under $108,000. Gold futures were slightly higher at around $4,019 an ounce. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to about 4.08%.

2. OPEC+ suspends the rise in oil production

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies agreed on Sunday to temporarily halt production increases in the first quarter of 2026 after the increase scheduled for December. The group of oil-producing countries has increased its production targets since April, but the pace has begun to slow since October amid concerns about the abundance of supplies. Crude oil futures rose, then reversed course in early trading.

3. China suspends additional restrictions on rare earth elements

China has agreed to suspend implementation of additional restrictions on the export of rare earths, as well as end investigations targeting US companies in the semiconductor supply chain, as part of a trade truce struck by President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the White House announced over the weekend. China also said it would consider easing export restrictions on semiconductors made by chip company Nexperia. Shares of Nvidia (NVDA), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and other semiconductor companies rose in premarket trading.

4. Berkshire Hathaway’s cash pile reaches a record high

Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK.A, BRK.B) cash stock reached another high, according to the group’s quarterly update over the weekend. The buildup has fueled speculation that Warren Buffett may be concerned about the market overheating after a string of recent record highs, waiting for better opportunities, or delaying allocating the company to his successor as he prepares to step down from his role as CEO at the end of the year.

5. Kimberly-Clark agrees to buy Tylenol maker Kenvue for more than $40 billion

Kimberly-Clark (KMB), maker of Huggies diapers and other consumer brands, has agreed to buy Tylenol maker Kenvue (KVUE) in a cash-and-stock deal worth about $48.7 billion. Kenvue faces a change in leadership and growing concerns about litigation as the Trump administration seeks to link its Tylenol drug to autism. Kenvue shares were up more than 20% before going public, while Kimberly-Clark shares were down nearly 15%.