Stock futures are little changed as Wall Street readies for presidential election: Live updates

Stock futures were flat Tuesday morning ahead of the high-stakes U.S. presidential election.

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 45 points. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq-100 futures traded around the flatline.

Palantir popped 13% in overnight trading on strong quarterly results and upbeat revenue guidance, while NXP Semiconductors fell on a soft outlook due to macro concerns.

Stocks finished lower in Monday's session as safe-haven U.S. Treasury yields declined. The Dow slumped more than 250 points, or 0.6%. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite fell about 0.3% each.

The latest poll from NBC News suggests the race is "neck and neck" between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Close attention also remains on which party dominates Congress, given that a sweep by Republicans or Democrats could contribute to drastic spending changes or a big revamp of tax policy. Follow CNBC's 2024 election live blog here.

The results could have a significant effect on where stocks end the year, but investors may want to brace for some near-term choppiness. CNBC data going back to 1980 suggests the major averages gain between Election Day and the end of the year, but typically fall in the session and week after. Uncertainty over the results could lead to even more shakiness in the market.

"The setup is still skewed to the positive and the bull cases is still intact, unless we get a new policy from a new political regime that looks like it's going to be more austere," Trivariate Research founder Adam Parker said Monday on CNBC's "Closing Bell."

Beyond the election, investors await the Federal Reserve's November rate decision due Thursday and fresh commentary from Chair Jerome Powell on the central bank's policy moves going forward. Traders are pricing in 98% odds of a quarter-point cut following September's half-point reduction, according to CME Group's FedWatch Tool.

Earnings season continues Tuesday with results from Super Micro Computer and Yum Brands.

Australia's central bank keeps rates unchanged at 4.35%

Australia's central bank held its benchmark interest rate at 4.35% for the eighth meeting in a row, in line with expectations from economists polled by Reuters.

In contrast to other central banks in advanced economies, the Reserve Bank of Australia wrote in its statement that "inflation has fallen substantially since the peak in 2022," but also added that underlying inflation is too high.

Economists from ANZ, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and HSBC had similarly expected the central bank to hold the cash rate steady, with ANZ forecasting that the first cut will come in February 2025.

—Lim Hui Jie, Lee Ying Shan

China's services activity grew at fastest pace in three months, says private survey

China's services sector in October saw its fastest growth in three months, a private sector survey showed.

The Caixin/S&P Global services purchasing managers' index climbed to 52.0 in October, up from 50.3 in September on the back of increased confidence on future output and increase in business activity. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a figure below 50 reflects a contraction.

"Growth in new business partly reflected another solid rise in export orders. This led to a quicker rise in business activity while the level of backlogged work also increased," the survey's economists wrote.

China's service providers also continued to raise staffing levels in October.

—Lee Ying Shan

Stocks making the biggest moves in overnight trading

Here are some of the stocks making the biggest moves in overnight trading:

• Palantir Technologies — Shares popped 13%. The software company surpassed Wall Street's third-quarter estimates, posting adjusted earnings of 10 cents per share on $726 million in revenue.
• Wynn Resorts — The resort and casino operator's stock dropped nearly 4% on third-quarter results that fell short of Wall Street's estimates on the top and bottom lines.
• NXP Semiconductors — The Netherlands-based semiconductor company shed more than 5% on disappointing fourth-quarter guidance, citing macro weakness in Europe and the Americas and in the industrial and internet of things market.

Read the full list of stocks here.

— Samantha Subin

Stock futures open higher ahead of presidential election

Stock futures opened higher in overnight trading Monday.

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 25 points, or 0.06%, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.1%. Nasdaq-100 futures rose 0.15%.

— Samantha Subin