Stock Futures Point to Big Gains as 'Brexit' Polls Suggest Shift Toward 'Remain'

New York (Jun 20)  Stock futures set up for big gains on Monday morning as new "Brexit" polls suggested the U.K. could remain in the European Union.

S&P 500 futures were up 1.35%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures surged 1.2%, and Nasdaq futures climbed 1.3%.

Weekend polls showed sentiment shifting toward a "remain" vote in the upcoming referendum on Thursday. A Survation/The Mail survey showed 45% of voters wish to "remain" while 42% prefer to "exit." Markets are expected to remain choppy until the outcome of the referendum is announced. The chances of an exit from the EU has sent global markets into a spin, triggering fears over economic and political stability in the region.

European markets surged on the increasing likelihood of a "remain" vote on Thursday. Germany's DAX jumped more than 3%, the CAC 40 in France rocketed 3.5% higher, and the FTSE 100 in London spiked 3.2%.

Crude oil joined in on a global rally on Monday. The commodity posted a weekly loss on Friday as oil prices pulled back from recent attempts to recapture and remain above $50 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate was up 1.7% at $48.81 a barrel on Monday morning. 

Shares of Anthem (ANTM) and Cigna (CI) were on watch on reports U.S. antitrust regulators could impede their proposed $48 billion deal. Regulators are reportedly skeptical that the health insurers can provide concessions that would ensure the industry remains competitive, The Wall Street Journal reported. Regulators reportedly said they weren't certain the companies would agree to asset sales that could help the deal proceed.

Walt Disney (DIS) climbed 1% in premarket trading after its Finding Nemo sequel, Finding Dory, dominated the weekend box office. The film scored $136.2 million in North American ticket sales, securing it the title of highest-grossing animated debut in history.

Source: TheStreet