Mood improves on Wall Street
Futures edge higher as investors mull rise in oil prices and slight pullback in dollar; overseas markets advance.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Stock futures rose early Monday, lifted by the momentum from the previous session's big rally, but higher oil prices kept a lid on gains.
About two hours before the market open, Nasdaq and S&P futures were narrowly higher, although a comparison to fair value indicated a flattish start for Wall Street.
Stocks ended last week with solid gains Friday. The blue-chip Dow surged 300 points, buoyed by another sharp drop in oil prices and gains made by the dollar.
Oil: Crude prices reversed course early Monday. Futures jumped as Russia and Georgia widened their conflict over a separatist province but then pared some of those gains.
U.S. crude for September delivery rose 73 cents to $115.93 a barrel in electronic trading. Nymex crude, however, is still about $30 below highs set last month.
Dollar: The greenback edged lower against the euro after roaring to a 5-month high against the euro zone currency on Friday. The dollar was lower against the yen.
Deals: Trash hauler Waste Management (WMI, Fortune 500) is expected to raise its unsolicited cash offer for rival Republic Services (RSG) by nearly 10% to $6.73 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Verizon: Verizon Communications (VZ, Fortune 500) and two unions agreed on a new three-year contract Sunday, averting a possible strike of 65,000 workers.
Berkshire: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) reported an 8% decline in second-quarter profit after the market close Friday. The investment group said it collected fewer insurance premiums and recorded $1 billion in unrealized derivative losses.
Other markets: Stocks in Asia mostly finished higher, although China shares hit a 19-month low. European shares gained in midday trading. 
