U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Sunday evening, as investors approached another holiday-shortened trading week cautiously following a strong year-end rally in equities.
S&P 500 futures held steady near 6,977.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 0.1% to 25,846.75 points as of 20:24 ET (01:24 GMT). Dow Jones futures were also flat at 49,018.0 points.
Trading volumes were expected to remain thin, as many market participants stayed away from their desks ahead of the New Year holidays, limiting the scope for sustained directional moves.
Wall Street ended last week on a strong note, with the S&P 500 closing at a record high on Friday, extending gains largely driven by a rebound in technology stocks.
Big-cap growth shares, which had faced pressure earlier in the month, regained momentum as investors rotated back into sectors viewed as long-term beneficiaries of artificial intelligence and easing financial conditions.
Market sentiment has also been supported by expectations that the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its tightening cycle, with traders continuing to price in interest rate cuts next year. Softer inflation data in recent weeks has reinforced bets that the central bank could begin easing policy in 2026, providing a tailwind for risk assets.
The late-December rally has renewed focus on the so-called “Santa Claus rally,” a seasonal pattern referring to gains typically seen during the final five trading sessions of the year and the first two sessions of January.
Sources: Investing
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