Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data

Wall Street futures edged lower on Monday evening as technology stocks remained under pressure following several weak sessions, while investors turned cautious ahead of critical US labor market and inflation data. Market participants are closely watching upcoming economic indicators for clearer signals on growth, inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves.

By 18:46 ET (23:46 GMT), S&P 500 futures dipped nearly 0.1% to 6,818.25 points, Nasdaq 100 futures also fell 0.1% to 25,064.50 points, and Dow Jones futures were largely unchanged at 48,464 points. The subdued performance reflects broader uncertainty, particularly around the outlook for interest rates and the sustainability of the recent rally in technology stocks.

Investor focus is now firmly on the US nonfarm payrolls report for November, scheduled for release Tuesday morning. The data was slightly delayed due to disruptions caused by the government shutdown in October and early November. Markets are looking for signs of further cooling in the labor market, which has shown gradual signs of softening in recent months. The payrolls report will be followed closely by the US consumer price index inflation data later in the week, another key input for monetary policy expectations.

Labor market strength and inflation trends remain the Federal Reserve’s primary considerations when assessing future interest rate cuts. The central bank recently lowered rates and has emphasized a data-dependent approach going forward. Comments from New York Fed President John Williams on Monday reinforced this stance, underscoring that upcoming data will play a crucial role in shaping policy decisions.

Wall Street closed lower on Monday, dragged down mainly by continued weakness in technology shares as investors locked in profits after the artificial intelligence-driven rally. Concerns were amplified by cautious guidance from major companies such as Oracle and Broadcom, raising questions about long-term AI-related returns. Nvidia briefly bucked the trend, rising 0.7% after JPMorgan highlighted the stock as a buying opportunity, though gains faded in after-hours trading.

The S&P 500 fell 0.2%, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.1%, highlighting a cautious tone as markets brace for pivotal economic data.