Steady Stock Futures Ahead of Inflation Report

Stock futures exhibited little change as investors geared up for the release of the August producer price index, a key indicator of wholesale inflation. Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by a mere 11 points, equivalent to a 0.03% gain. S&P 500 futures saw a slightly stronger uptick of 0.09%, while Nasdaq 100 futures inched 0.1% higher.

The prior trading day had been mixed, with the Dow, comprising 30 major stocks, declining for the second consecutive day, resulting in a 0.2% drop primarily due to 3M’s performance. On the other hand, the Nasdaq Composite closed with nearly a 0.3% gain, and the S&P 500 added 0.1%.

A significant event on traders’ radar was the August Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which had a notable impact on market sentiment. The core CPI, excluding food and energy costs, registered a 0.3% increase from the previous month and a 4.3% rise compared to last year. These figures slightly exceeded expectations, as economists had projected a 0.2% increase month-over-month and a 4.3% year-over-year rise. Headline inflation, which includes all items, surged by 0.6% on a monthly basis and 3.7% on a yearly basis, in line with market expectations.

Despite the CPI data, it’s unlikely to alter the Federal Reserve’s approach at its upcoming policy meeting, scheduled to commence on September 19. Fed funds futures pricing data from Wednesday indicated a 97% probability that interest rates would remain unchanged next week, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

Nevertheless, even if the central bank opts to keep rates steady this time, market volatility is expected to persist in the coming months. According to Fed funds futures pricing data, there’s approximately a 48% chance that rates will increase at the November meeting. Alex McGrath, Chief Investment Officer at NorthEnd Private Wealth, noted, “We believe volatility will be with us through year-end as the risk-on assets that dragged the market higher through 2023 will begin to look expensive in the face of elevated yields.”

Looking ahead, another critical inflation metric, the August Producer Price Index (PPI), is scheduled for release on Thursday. Economists polled by Dow Jones anticipate a 0.4% increase for August, following a surprising 0.3% rise in wholesale prices in July. Additionally, retail sales data is expected before the market opens.