Wall Street Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Nvidia Earnings and Key Labor Data

Wall Street futures ticked up slightly on Monday evening, offering a modest rebound after major U.S. indexes slid earlier in the day on rising caution surrounding Nvidia’s upcoming earnings and a highly anticipated U.S. labor market update. The move came as Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller signaled support for additional rate cuts aimed at stabilizing employment, though most traders still expect the Fed to maintain current rates in December.

S&P 500 futures gained 0.2% to 6,702.75, while Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.2% to 24,924. Dow Jones futures added 0.1% to reach 46,724.

Major tech stocks weighed heavily on the broader market as investors trimmed exposure ahead of Nvidia’s quarterly report due Wednesday. Nvidia shares fell nearly 1.9%, extending a multiday decline as traders locked in profits from the company’s massive AI-driven rally over the last several years. Questions about the sustainability of its rapid growth have increased recently, adding to investor unease.

Other AI-focused and tech-related stocks also declined amid growing skepticism about the long-term returns from substantial industry investments. Palantir dropped 1.6%, pushing its five-day losses to nearly 10%. Alphabet was a rare standout, climbing 3.1% after Berkshire Hathaway revealed a $4.3 billion stake, and as markets anticipated the potential release of Google’s Gemini 3.0 AI model.

Despite Alphabet’s strength, losses across technology and cyclical sectors pushed all major U.S. indexes lower. The S&P 500 slipped 0.9%, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.8%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.2%.

Looking ahead, investors are awaiting earnings from major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. Additionally, attention is focused on Thursday’s release of delayed September nonfarm payrolls data. While Waller argued for rate cuts to protect the labor market, market expectations for a December cut have weakened. CME FedWatch now shows a 40.8% probability of a 25 basis-point cut, down sharply from last week, with nearly a 60% chance the Fed will hold rates steady.