US stock futures steady with Fed, rate cues in focus

U.S. stock index futures moved little on Monday evening after technology stocks spurred a positive session on Wall Street, with focus turning to more key signals on interest rates due this week. 

Gains in tech helped markets weather threats of more tariff action from President-elect Donald Trump, who threatened to impose steep tariffs on the BRICS group of nations.

Comments from Federal Reserve officials also continued to trickle in, as investors maintained their bets on a 25 basis point cut in December. But data due this week is expected to factor into the upcoming rate decision. 

S&P 500 Futures steadied at 6,063.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures fell 0.1% to 21,206.75 points by 18:42 ET (23:42 GMT). Dow Jones Futures fell 0.1% to 44,881.0 points.  Fedspeak, payrolls data awaited 

Focus this week is on addresses from a slew of Fed officials, most notably Chair Jerome Powell , for more cues on the central bank’s plans for interest rates.

While markets have so far maintained expectations for a December rate cut, the longer term outlook is more uncertain, especially on the prospect of inflationary policies under a Trump administration. 

Trump's protectionist stance on trade and immigration is expected to potentially underpin inflation, keeping rates relatively high in the long term. 

Focus this week is also on key nonfarm payrolls data for November, due on Friday. Strength in the labor market is expected to deter the Fed from cutting rates too quickly. 

Fed Governor Christopher Waller said on Monday that while he leaned towards a 25 bps cut in December, data due in the coming days was likely to factor into the central bank’s decision.  Tesla falls as Delaware court rules against $56 bln Musk pay package

Among major aftermarket movers, Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA ) fell more than 1% after a Delaware court upheld its decision to invalidate Elon Musk’s $56 billion compensation package.

The decision came even as Tesla shareholders voted to reinstate the package, and was deemed excessive by the court, which had first struck down the package in January. 

Still, Tesla shares remained close to their highest levels since early-2022, as investors bet that the firm will benefit from Musk’s growing influence in Washington.  Tech puts S&P 500, Nasdaq at record highs, Dow lags 

Gains in technology stocks underpinned Wall Street indexes on Monday, although the Dow fell from recent peaks amid some weakness in economically sensitive sectors. 

The S&P 500 rose 0.2% to 6,047.15 points- a record high- while the NASDAQ Composite surged nearly 1% to a record high of 19,403.58 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3% to 44,782.0 points. 

Heavyweight tech stocks were the biggest boost to Wall Street, with the “Magnificent Seven” rising between 1.3% and 3.5%.

Source: Investing.com