U.S. stock futures edged lower on Tuesday as market participants braced for the release of the latest consumer price index (CPI) data, seen as a critical indicator for the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves, as well as key earnings updates from major banks.
As of 4:34 P.M. (GMT+7), Dow Jones Industrial Average futures declined by 0.10%, or 51.80 points, to 49,538.40 points, while S&P 500 futures ticked down by 0.08%, or 5.70 points, to 6,971.60 points. Nasdaq 100 futures also slipped by 0.12%, or 31.40 points, to 25,756.30 points
Investors will be examining the CPI report for insights into inflation dynamics, seeking to fill information gaps left by the U.S. government’s latest shutdown. A higher-than-expected inflation reading could limit the Fed’s ability to deliver rate cuts. Currently, the market anticipates two cuts to benchmark rates by the central bank this year, beginning in June.
Market attention is also shifting to the earnings season, with JPMorgan poised to report its fourth-quarter results today, signaling the start of a series of announcements this week from leading financial institutions such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs.
Separately, federal prosecutors have launched a criminal probe targeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who has characterized the inquiry as a “pretext” by President Donald Trump to urge the central bank to reduce interest rates.
