Futures dip ahead of key inflation data
For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window.
Futures down: Dow 0.15%, S&P 500 0.18%, Nasdaq 0.22%
Oct 10 (Reuters) -U.S. stock index futures declined on Thursday as investors braced for a highly anticipated inflation report, which is expected to provide more clarity on the monetary policy direction for the remainder of the year.
At 5:23 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis 1YMcv1 were down 63 points, or 0.15%, S&P 500 E-minis EScv1 were down 10.5 points, or 0.18% and Nasdaq 100 E-minis NQcv1 were down 44.5 points, or 0.22%.
The S&P 500 .SPX and the Dow notched up record closing highs on Wednesday, after minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting showed a "substantial majority" of policymakers had favored September's outsized 50-basis-point rate cut.
In the wake of strong economic data over the past week, traders have steadily decreased bets on a 50-basis-point rate reduction at the Fed's next meeting, now pricing in an 82% chance of a 25-bps cut in November and an 18% chance of no change at all.
Thursday's consumer price index report is now in focus for insight on the central bank's battle with inflation and its implications for borrowing costs.
September's CPI is forecast to show core inflation holding steady at 3.2% on an annual basis, while slipping slightly to 0.2% month-over-month, according to economists Reuters polled.
"The CPI report is likely to show that inflation has leveled off and perhaps even cooled further. Price stability is likely to prove critical to extending the economic cycle," said Scott Helfstein, head of investment strategy at Global X.
"There is little reason for the Fed to deviate from 25 bps cuts through (the) year end, given the favorable economic backdrop."
Weekly jobless claims data is also scheduled for release on the day.
Attention also shifts to the start of third-quarter earnings season, with major banks scheduled to report on Friday.
Third-quarter earnings growth rate for the S&P 500 is estimated at 5% year-over-year, according to estimates compiled by LSEG, and will be a key test for whether the recent equity rally can be sustained.
Earnings season comes at a busy point for investors as they grapple with rising Treasury yields - the benchmark 10-year Treasury note yield is trading around its highest since late July - along with the impact of the Middle East conflict on oil prices and the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
Investors were also monitoring the impact from Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Florida's west coast late on Wednesday.
Among single movers, shares of logistics services provider GXO Logistics GXO.N jumped 5.1% after a report that the company is exploring a potential sale after it received takeover interest.
Reporting by Lisa Mattackal in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
