Global markets advance

Stocks around the world mostly rose Monday, a day before the U.S. presidential election.

U.S. futures, which give an indication of how markets may open when trading begins in New York, were narrowly higher.

European markets edged higher. In midday trading, Germany's DAX and the FTSE 100 in Britain were a shade higher. The CAC-40 in France was little changed.

Major markets in Asia advanced, with South Korea's KOSPI index closing up 1.4% after the government announced a plan to jolt the economy.

The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong finished the session up 2.7%. Markets in Tokyo were closed.

The gains overseas followed a strong finish on Wall Street on Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average, Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq Composite all rose more than 1%.

The rally capped off a strong week at the end of one of the worst months in Wall Street history.

In October, the Dow lost nearly 1,526 points, its worst month ever, according to Stock Trader's Almanac data going back to 1901. On a percentage basis, the decline of 14.1% doesn't rank in the top 10.

The S&P 500 lost nearly 198 points, or 16.9% in the month, to post its worst month ever on a point basis and eighth worst ever on a percentage basis, going back to 1930.

The Nasdaq dropped 361 points, or 17.4% in October, tracking its seventh-worst month ever on a point basis and its fifth-worst month on a percentage basis, going back to its inception in 1971.

Investors are keeping their eye on upcoming rate decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. Both are expected to lower rates when they meet Thursday.

Central banks worldwide have been slashing rates to combat their weakening economies. The European Commission forecast Monday that the economy in the 15 countries that use the euro will barely grow next year

In the U.S., all attention is focused on the outcome of the presidential election, where the economy is the top issue on voter's minds.