How are stock-index futures trading:
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 23 points, or 0.05%, to 44,312
S&P 500 futures increased 4 points, or 0.07%, to 6,050
Nasdaq 100 futures increased 28 points, or 0.13%, to 21,434
On Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 154 points, or 0.35%, to 44,248, the S&P 500 declined 18 points, or 0.3%, to 6,035, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 49 points, or 0.25%, to 19,687.
The S&P 500 index finished lower on both Monday and Tuesday this week.
Stock futures were steady on Wednesday morning as investors braced themselves for publication of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ November consumer price index (CPI) report ahead of the Federal Reserve’s December meeting next Tuesday.
Markets are currently pricing in an 86% likelihood the Fed will cut interest rates at its meeting next week, meaning there is currently more uncertainty around the potential for a rate cut than in November when markets were pricing in a 95% chance of a cut in the week before the meeting.
A CPI report showing inflation is higher than expected could add to the uncertainty that has been heightened by president-elect Donald Trump’s pledges to impose sharp tariffs on goods imported into the U.S. from countries worldwide.
Alongside the CPI report, investors will also be looking out for earnings statements from companies including department store Macy’s and software developer Adobe.
