U.S. stock futures fell on Thursday as market participants weighed concerns from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting minutes and looked ahead to Walmart’s earnings for clues on consumer spending.
As of 5:01 P.M. (GMT+7), Dow Jones Industrial Average futures decreased by 0.14%, or 67.20 points, to 49,595.80 points, while S&P 500 futures slipped by 0.12%, or 7.90 points, to 6,873.40 points. Nasdaq 100 futures also downed by 0.08%, or 20.10 points, to 24,878.80 points.
Despite the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)’s expressed concerns that progress in lowering inflation might remain both gradual and inconsistent, traders continued to anticipate two interest rate reductions from the Fed before year’s end.
In addition to monetary policy developments, tariff policies returned to the spotlight. President Donald Trump’s administration criticized the New York Federal Reserve after the regional bank published a report suggesting that the financial impact of tariffs has been largely shouldered by U.S. households and businesses, reigniting a key economic policy debate.
The day’s economic calendar features data releases on initial jobless claims and pending home sales, providing further information on labor market trends and housing sector activity. Attention also remains on Walmart’s upcoming earnings announcement, with investors seeking an updated read on the U.S. consumer spending patterns and the retail sector’s outlook.
