Provided by Dow Jones By Mischa Frankl-Duval Here's what we are watching as markets kick into gear Monday. -- U.S. stock futures rose on optimism that talks for additional stimulus are progressing and that the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines could help stem the pandemic. Futures tied to the S&P 500 ticked up 0.5%, suggesting the index may edge higher after the New York opening bell. Contracts tied to the Nasdaq-100 Index gained 0.4%. Read our full markets wrap here. What's Coming Up Market Movers to Watch -- Boston-based Alexion Pharmaceuticals leaped almost 34% in premarket trade after AstraZeneca agreed to buy the company for $39 billion in cash and stock, a move that would bolster the British drug giant's footprint in rare diseases. AstraZeneca shares fell more than 5% in London.