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* While the lower forecasts implied less demand
for fuel over the next two years, contributing to another leg
lower in crude oil prices, Wall Street stocks were on track for
a second straight day of gains, after a rally of more than 1
percent on Friday.
* The IMF lowered its forecasts for global economic growth in
both 2015 and 2016, projecting growth of 3.5 percent this year
and 3.7 percent next year; both forecasts are down by 0.3
percentage points. The IMF advised advanced economies to
maintain accommodative monetary policies to avoid increases in
real interest rates as cheaper oil increases the risk of
deflation.
* U.S. crude futures fell 1.8 percent to $47.80 per barrel,
keeping the commodity - which is down more than 55 percent since
June - near its lowest level since 2009.
* While cheap gas prices could be a boon to consumer spending,
many analysts are waiting to see whether the net impact on the
economy will be positive, given the decline in energy company
earnings that is expected. Halliburton Co is scheduled to report
quarterly results on Tuesday.
* FXCM Inc plummeted 81 percent to $2.40 in premarket trading on
volume of nearly 430,000 shares, making it the most active
premarket name on the New York Stock Exchange. The retail
foreign exchange broker on Friday said it would get a $300
million loan from Leucadia National Corp to keep operating after
losing millions from a recent surge of the Swiss franc. Late
Monday, FXCM provided further details on the terms of the loan.
* Investors continued to assess effects of the move by the Swiss
National Bank on Thursday to lift the cap on the Swiss franc.
The decision could foreshadow a large stimulus by the European
Central Bank next week that would further weaken the euro, or be
a safeguard against a possible Greek exit from the euro zone
that could potentially destabilize the bloc.
* Regions Financial dipped 0.4 percent to $9.03 before the bell
after reporting its fourth-quarter results.
Futures snapshot at 6:46:
* S&P 500 e-minis were up 8.75 points, or 0.43 percent, with
277,027 contracts changing hands.
* Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 22.5 points, or 0.54 percent, in
volume of 64,779 contracts.
* Dow e-minis were up 62 points, or 0.36 percent, with 52,226
contracts changing hands.
(Editing by)
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