New York, Sep 3: US stock futures edged higher on Thursday, offering some relief to investors after Wall Street endured three straight sessions of losses. Market participants remained cautious, however, as they weighed rising tensions in the Middle East alongside the latest corporate earnings.
Dow Jones futures were up about 0.2%, while S&P 500 futures gained around 0.1%. Nasdaq-100 futures also moved slightly higher, pointing to a modest improvement in sentiment at the start of trading.
Technology stocks were in focus as investors looked ahead to earnings from major companies such as Broadcom and Snowflake. Their results and outlooks are expected to offer fresh clues about corporate technology spending and the broader strength of business demand.
Oil prices remained another key concern. Crude prices slipped from recent highs but Brent continued to trade above $95 a barrel, keeping concerns about inflation and energy costs alive. Investors are closely watching developments in the Middle East amid fears that a prolonged conflict could put further pressure on global energy markets.
Attention is also turning to the US labour market ahead of Friday’s monthly jobs report. New figures on layoffs and unemployment benefit claims due Thursday could provide an early indication of how employment conditions are developing.
The earnings calendar remains busy, with Lululemon Athletica, DocuSign and Campbell’s among the companies scheduled to release quarterly results. Investors will be watching not only their latest performance but also management guidance for signs of how businesses are coping with economic uncertainty.
For now, markets remain in a wait-and-watch mode. Investors are balancing geopolitical risks, elevated oil prices, inflation concerns and expectations for interest rates while looking for stronger signals that could determine Wall Street’s next direction.