U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Strong Jobs Data Clouds Fed Rate Cut Outlook 
Gold Prices Steady Above $5,000 as Markets Eye Fed Minutes and PCE Inflation Data 
U.S. Inflation Cools in January as Gas Prices Fall, Core CPI Signals Sticky Price Pressures 
Fed Governor Stephen Miran Warns Tight Monetary Policy Threatens U.S. Economic Growth 
RBA Signals Further Interest Rate Hikes if Inflation Persists, Says Governor Michele Bullock 
Yen Pulls Back After Rally as Fed Rate Cut Bets Support Dollar Stability 
Asian Markets Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
New Zealand House Prices Dip in January Amid Seasonal Slowdown and Severe Weather 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
Asian Markets Consolidate Gains as Japan GDP Disappoints and Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise 
Japan, U.S. Speed Up Talks on $550 Billion Investment Deal Amid Tariff Pressure 
UK House Prices Hold Steady in February as Rightmove Reports Post-Budget Market Stability 
U.S.–Taiwan Trade Agreement Sets 15% Tariff, Boosts Energy and Semiconductor Investment 
ECB Expands Euro Liquidity Backstop to Strengthen Global Role of the Euro 
MOEX Russia Index Closes Flat as Gold Surges and Ruble Strengthens 
U.S. stock index futures moved slightly higher Sunday evening in thin trading volumes ahead of Monday’s market holiday, as investors prepared for a busy week of economic data that could influence Federal Reserve interest rate policy. The modest gains follow a second consecutive week of losses on Wall Street, with recent inflation data offering limited reassurance to markets.
S&P 500 Futures climbed 0.2% to 6,863.50, while Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.16% to 24,843.0. Dow Jones Futures rose 0.1% to 49,608.0. Despite the uptick in futures, investor sentiment remains cautious after major indexes posted weekly declines. The S&P 500 fell roughly 1.5% last week, the Nasdaq dropped 2.1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended largely unchanged.
Friday’s consumer price index (CPI) report for January showed headline inflation slightly below expectations, while core CPI matched forecasts. Although the data hinted at easing price pressures, it failed to spark a sustained rally. Concerns about the long-term impact of artificial intelligence disruptions, particularly in technology stocks, continued to weigh on the broader market. Selling pressure in software and transportation shares extended into financial services, media, and real estate sectors.
Investors are now focused on several key economic indicators scheduled for release this week. January industrial production data and the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting are due Wednesday. Market participants will closely analyze the Fed minutes for signals on future interest rate decisions.
Additional reports include U.S. trade data and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. February purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data will also provide insight into business activity. Together, these economic releases are expected to shape market expectations for interest rates and the broader outlook for U.S. stocks.
