U.S. stock futures are performing well, European stocks are showing narrow differentiation in early trading, with hopes of Eli Lilly acquiring Abivax leading to an 8% increase

U.S. stock index futures are performing well, with the Dow Jones March futures up 44 points or 0.1%, at 48,509 points. The S&P 500 March futures rose 24 points or nearly 0.4%, at 6,911 points. The Nasdaq March futures increased by 145 points or nearly 0.6%, at 25,720 points.

With the Christmas holiday approaching, major European stock markets showed narrow divergence in early trading on Monday (22nd). The pan-European Stoxx 600 index slightly fell by less than 1 point, at 586.76 points. The UK FTSE 100 index dropped 42 points or 0.4%, at 9,855 points. The French CAC fell 18 points or 0.2%, at 8,132 points. The German DAX rose 27 points or 0.1%, at 24,316 points. The Italian FTSE MIB decreased by 97 points or 0.2%, at 44,660 points. The Spanish IBEX 35 index fell 21 points or 0.1%, at 17,146 points.

French biopharmaceutical company Abivax rose 8.2%, as reported by French media "La Lettre," that a representative from Eli Lilly (LLY.US) met with the French Ministry of Finance in early December to assess the regulatory framework surrounding a potential acquisition, reigniting market speculation about Eli Lilly acquiring Abivax. Abivax has surged significantly after acquisition rumors circulated earlier this month. At that time, an Eli Lilly spokesperson told Reuters that the company would not comment on "business development activities."