U.S. stock-index futures showed little net movement late Tuesday after the major averages closed lower during the regular session, with traders also monitoring energy-market developments and an approaching U.S. inflation report that could influence Federal Reserve policy expectations.
By 20:55 ET (00:55 GMT), S&P 500 Futures were essentially flat at 7,679.25 points, and Nasdaq 100 Futures were steady at 29,534.0 points. Dow Jones Futures ticked down about 0.1% to 52,800.0 points.
The subdued tone in futures followed a broad sell-off earlier in the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.2%, the S&P 500 declined 0.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.3% during the regular session.
Oil prices remained a principal source of concern for investors. Brent crude rose to as much as $99.67 a barrel in Asian trading on Wednesday after a series of incidents in the Middle East, including an attack on Saudi energy facilities by Iran-backed Houthi militants, U.S. strikes on multiple Iranian oil tankers, and an Iranian strike on a U.S. base in Jordan. That spike in crude has revived investor worries that elevated energy costs could sustain upward pressure on inflation and complicate central-bank efforts to loosen policy.
The move higher in crude has coincided with upward pressure on Treasury yields. The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield briefly climbed above 4.8% on Tuesday, approaching its highest level since November 2023. Higher yields increase the relative appeal of fixed-income investments and can raise borrowing costs for both companies and consumers.
Market participants are now focused on U.S. inflation data due later in the week. The consumer price index, scheduled for release on Friday, is expected to offer fresh information on the path for Federal Reserve policy.
Investor expectations for Fed action have shifted sharply in recent days. Markets were pricing roughly a 68% probability of a 25-basis-point rate increase at the Fed’s September meeting earlier in the month, up from about a 40% chance a week prior, according to CME FedWatch. The Fed is set to convene on Sept. 16-17, leaving incoming inflation readings particularly important in shaping policy outlooks.
Against this backdrop, the interplay of rising energy prices, higher Treasury yields and a key inflation report leaves markets sensitive to further developments in both geopolitics and U.S. macroeconomic data.