Wall Street Futures Gain Amid Inflation Data and Fed Insights
U.S. stock index futures gained ground on Sunday evening as investors shifted their focus to upcoming inflation data and commentary from Federal Reserve officials. This data could further clarify Wall Street’s direction following a recent rally.
Market Surge Post-Election and Fed Rate Cut
Wall Street saw significant gains last week after Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, alleviating market uncertainty. A recent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve has also bolstered investor confidence. As of Sunday, S&P 500 Futures rose by 0.2% to 6,037.25 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures by 0.4% to 21,306.0 points, and Dow Jones Futures by 0.1% to 44,186.0 points.
Key Focus on CPI Data and Federal Reserve Updates
This week, investors are keenly awaiting the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) data to assess inflation trends. Released just a week after a 25-basis-point rate cut, the CPI report is expected to influence the Fed's future rate decisions. With inflation persisting due to a resilient economy and labor market, the data could either confirm a downward trend or signal ongoing inflation challenges.
Additionally, remarks from several Fed officials are expected to shed more light on the central bank's economic outlook. According to CME FedWatch, traders currently see a 65.9% chance of another 25 basis point rate cut in December, with a 34.1% probability of holding rates steady.
Wall Street Rallies on Policy Optimism
U.S. stock futures rose as markets anticipate Trump’s economic policies, including corporate tax cuts and other expansionary measures. The president-elect's agenda, coupled with a Republican majority in Congress, suggests a favorable environment for business growth.
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