U.S. stock futures traded mostly lower as markets awaited the release of May’s employment report, with investors attentive to economic signals amid ongoing sector rotation and geopolitical uncertainty.
At 4:22 p.m. (Bangkok Time), S&P 500 futures declined 0.53%, and Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 1.07%. In contrast, futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average showed a modest increase of 0.03%.
The divergence followed Thursday’s session, when the Dow advanced by 874.86 points, or 1.73%, closing at a new all-time high. The S&P 500 rose 0.41%, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.09% as investors moved capital away from technology stocks.
Thursday’s market gains were led by strength in healthcare and financial sectors, while earnings from Broadcom led to sharp movements within the artificial intelligence trade.
Geopolitical factors contributed to market caution as uncertainty persisted around a ceasefire involving the U.S. and Iran. Reports of halted negotiations weighed on sentiment, even while President Donald Trump stated that talks were approaching their “final” phase.
The May jobs report is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday. Market participants are expected to scrutinize the figures for indications of economic resilience, particularly amid inflationary trends. Economists generally anticipate an increase in payrolls and a stable unemployment rate, outcomes that could offer reassurance to investors.
