Stock Futures Little Changed as Economic Data Reports Set to Impact Markets
Stock futures were little changed Sunday night as investors braced for a busy week of economic data. Dow Jones futures slipped slightly, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 futures also saw modest declines of 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively.
The slight pullback comes after a mixed week on Wall Street. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both fell, led by a drop in Oracle and Broadcom shares, which sparked a rotation out of tech stocks. Meanwhile, the Dow rose 1.1%, benefiting from its lower exposure to tech and AI.
Ed Yardeni, president of Yardeni Research, suggested that competition in AI could weaken the dominance of top tech stocks in the future, benefiting a broader set of companies.
Key Economic Reports Ahead
This week, the focus shifts to critical economic data, starting with the release of November’s nonfarm payrolls and October’s retail sales on Tuesday. These reports will offer insights into the strength of the labor market and consumer spending.
On Thursday, December 18, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November will be released, providing crucial data on inflation.
Key Economic Data:
- Tuesday, Dec. 16
- 8:30 a.m. – Nonfarm Payrolls (November)
- 8:30 a.m. – Retail Sales (October)
- Thursday, Dec. 18
- 8:30 a.m. – Consumer Price Index (November)
Conclusion: Market Focus on Economic Health
With major data reports ahead, investors will closely watch the figures for signs of economic strength or weakness. These reports could significantly influence market direction in the coming days.
