Wall Street futures edge higher on tech recovery ahead of delayed jobs and CPI data

U.S. stock futures ticked higher on Sunday evening after Wall Street mounted a strong rebound late last week, even as investors remained cautious ahead of delayed U.S. employment and inflation data scheduled for release in the coming days.

S&P 500 futures rose 0.4% to 6,978.75 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.6% to 25,319.0 points by 19:12 ET (00:12 GMT). Dow Jones futures were up 0.2% at 50,327.0 points.

Wall Street bounced back late last week as AI disruption fears eased

Wall Street’s major indexes surged on Friday after several days of losses, as investors stepped in to scoop up beaten-down technology stocks and found reassurance in easing bond yields.

The S&P 500 advanced 2%, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.5%, notching its first close above the 50,000-point mark.

Gains were led by chipmakers and AI-linked stocks, which had faced intense selling pressure amid concerns over technology disruption and lofty valuations.

Earlier in the week, the technology sector had suffered sharp declines as investors rotated away from high-growth names, worried that rapid advances in artificial intelligence could upend software business models and squeeze profit margins.

For the week as a whole, the Dow gained roughly 2.5%, supported by strength in industrial and financial stocks. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, while the Nasdaq fell about 2%, underscoring the sector’s pronounced weakness.

Jobs, inflation data in focus with major earnings ahead

Market attention is shifting toward key U.S. economic data releases that were postponed due to the partial government shutdown.

The closely watched January employment report, originally due last week, is now scheduled for release on Wednesday. A private-sector jobs report published last week showed weaker-than-expected hiring, sparking concerns that labor market momentum may be starting to cool after months of strength.

Focus will then turn to January consumer price index data, set for release on Friday following the shutdown-related delay. The inflation report will be closely examined for indications that price pressures are easing enough to give the Federal Reserve scope to consider interest rate cuts later this year.

Corporate earnings may also influence markets in the days ahead, with companies such as Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) and Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) among the notable firms due to report quarterly results this week.

Sources: Ayushman Ojha