U.S. stock futures rose on Monday as investors balanced hopes for rate cuts with concerns over labor market weakness, while turning attention to key inflation data due later this week.
As of 5:45 a.m. ET, Dow futures were up 0.1%, S&P 500 futures added 0.2%, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.3%. Despite recent pullbacks, the S&P 500 remains near record highs.
Friday’s weaker-than-expected jobs report bolstered expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut rates by at least 25 basis points at its September 16–17 meeting. CME data showed virtually no odds of a 50 basis-point move.
The focus now shifts to Thursday’s August CPI, which is expected to show consumer prices rising 2.9% year-on-year, reflecting the impact of Trump-era tariffs. Producer price data will also be released. While unlikely to alter the Fed’s upcoming decision, these figures could influence the pace of further easing.
In energy markets, oil prices climbed after OPEC+ agreed to raise output by only 137,000 barrels per day in October, well below previous monthly increases. Brent crude rose 2% to $66.79 a barrel, while WTI gained 2% to $63.13 a barrel.
