India, Aug. 17 -- U.S. stock futures were higher on Monday as investors assessed fresh economic signals, the Federal Reserve's interest-rate outlook, rising oil prices and a busy week of retail earnings. The market mood remained cautious as softer U.S. economic data reduced expectations for an imminent Fed rate hike, while renewed Middle East tensions kept energy prices elevated.

What Investors are Watching

Wall Street entered the new week with investors focused on the direction of U.S. monetary policy and the resilience of the American economy. Reuters reported that U.S. stock futures improved on Monday, with S&P 500 futures rising about 0.2% and Nasdaq futures gaining around 0.5%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average remains in focus as ...