Stock index futures pointed to a higher opening on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.59 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.39 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.49 percent.

Abu Dhabi bailed out neighboring Dubai on Monday with $10 billion in surprise aid for Dubai, driving stock markets higher, but Dubai said Dubai World creditors still needed to approve a standstill on outstanding debt.

Citigroup is nearing a deal with the U.S. government that would allow it to pay back its bailout money, several reports said on Sunday. Shares in Citigroup traded up 1.5 percent in Frankfurt .

Japan's Nikkei average trimmed earlier losses and ended flat on Monday after the Dubai bailout news, while European stocks added 0.9 percent in morning trade, with banking stocks such as HSBC and Santander pacing the gains.

Oil headed lower for a ninth straight session on Monday, but pared losses after the Dubai news, which also boosted the euro against the dollar as risk appetite improved.

Britain's Cadbury Plc raised its long-term growth targets and reported upbeat trading as it dismissed a 10 billion pound ($16.5 billion) bid from Kraft Foods , kicking off a seven-week fight for its independence.

Google Inc plans to sell its own cellphone direct to consumers as soon as next year, bypassing wireless operators in a rare strategic move, the Wall Street Journal cited sources as saying on Saturday.

Morgan Stanley said on Sunday it has hired former Merrill Lynch President and Chief Operating Officer Gregory Fleming to run its investment management group, the latest in a string of executive level changes.

Technology outsourcing and consulting firm Accenture Plc on Sunday said it was ending its six-year sponsorship arrangement with golfer Tiger Woods, who is embroiled in a scandal involving extra-marital affairs.

The Dow and S&P 500 closed up for a third straight session on Friday after several solid consumer-related reports reinforced investors' confidence in a steady recovery by the economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 65.67 points, or 0.63 percent, at 10,471.50. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 4.06 points, or 0.37 percent, at 1,106.41. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 0.55 point, or 0.03 percent, at 2,190.31.

(Reporting by Blaise Robinson; Editing by Greg Mahlich)

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