US stock futures edge higher ahead of jobs data after volatile first week of February
US equity futures were marginally higher early Sunday, February 8, as investors brace for key economic data and a fresh set of earnings following a volatile start to February.
Futures linked to the S&P 500 were up about 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.3%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained nearly 90 points, or 0.2%.
The muted gains follow a sharp rebound on Friday, February 6, when Wall Street recovered from heavy losses earlier in the week, largely triggered by a sell-off in technology and software stocks. Bitcoin was also seen sliding sharply during the week, before staging a partial recovery.
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In Friday’s session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged around 1,200 points, or roughly 2.5%, to notch its first-ever close above the 50,000 mark, after briefly touching the level during intraday trade. The S&P 500 climbed nearly 2%, while the Nasdaq Composite ended more than 2% higher.
Bitcoin rebounded above $70,000 on Friday after falling below $61,000 late Thursday. Software stocks, including Salesforce, also saw strong buying interest, with the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) surging 3.5%, snapping the losing streak for the first time since the end of January, when the fund had slipped into bear market territory.
Markets now turn their focus to macro data later this week. Investors will track the delayed January US jobs report, due on Wednesday, February 11, after the release was postponed because of the partial government shutdown.
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expect payrolls to rise by 55,000 in January, following ADP data last week that showed private payroll growth of just 22,000.
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The January consumer price index (CPI), also delayed, is scheduled for release on Friday.
On the earnings front, markets will closely watch results from Coca-Cola and Ford Motor on Tuesday, for clues on sector rotation away from technology.
Despite a sharp rebound on Friday, US equity benchmarks ended the first trading week of February on a mixed note, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 2.5%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.84%.
