U.S. Stock Futures Point to Lower Open on Inflation, Trade Worries

U.S. stock index futures declined Thursday, signaling a weak open on Wall Street as investors braced for fresh inflation data and monitored escalating global trade tensions. Futures tied to the S&P 500 fell 0.3%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures shed 80 points. Nasdaq-100 futures dipped 0.4%. The cautious mood followed Wednesday’s mixed economic reports and Federal Reserve meeting minutes that reinforced expectations the central bank will keep interest rates elevated through much of 2026 to cool persistent price pressures. A sell-off in technology shares in overnight Asian and European sessions added to the negative sentiment, with traders also eyeing potential retaliatory tariffs from key U.S. trading partners. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note edged up to 4.35%, reflecting lingering inflation anxiety ahead of the personal consumption expenditures price index due later this week.