U.S. stock futures traded marginally lower Monday, with investors still feeling the pressure of the Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance, while a potential U.S. government shutdown draws nearer.
By 06:15 ET (10:15 GMT), the Dow Futures contract was down 5 points, or 0.1%, S&P 500 Futures traded 2 points, or 0.1%, lower and Nasdaq 100 Futures dropped 12 points, or 0.1%.
Wall Street indices suffer weak month
The main indices on Wall Street look set to enter the final week of September on a negative note, with the indication from the U.S. central bank that interest rates will remain elevated for longer than expected weighing heavily.
The highly-indebted tech sector has been hardest hit, with the Nasdaq Composite on track to slump 5.9% this month, potentially its biggest monthly loss since December. The broad-based S&P 500 is set to drop 4.2% this month, while the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average has shed 2.2%.
The Fed held rates steady last week, but signaled it might raise them one more time this year. It also pointed to only two rate cuts next year, half the number they anticipated in their last round of forecasts in June.
There are a number of U.S. central bank officials scheduled to speak this week, starting with Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari later Monday. Their comments will be studied carefully for clues of future policy moves, particularly with key inflation data due for release at the end of the week.
Budget stand-off continues
Also weighing on sentiment is the ongoing budget stand-off, with the federal government set to run out of funding for its operations at the start of October.
Over the weekend, Democrats and Republicans in Congress both warned that there is a chance a deal will not be reached, with even a plan to create a 45-day extension to government funding to give legislators more time coming up against strong resistance.
Washington’s latest budgetary showdown comes only a few months after a battle over the U.S. debt limit almost brought the world’s largest economy to the brink of a damaging default.
Amazon seeks to boost AI position
In corporate news, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) said on Monday that it is aiming to invest up to $4 billion in artificial intelligence group Anthropic, as the tech giant looks to bolster its position in the corporate arms race over nascent AI technology.
Additionally, the entertainment sector could benefit from Sunday’s news that the union representing Hollywood writers, as well as major studios, and streaming services have negotiated a deal to end a strike which has lasted months.
Crude rebounds from losing week
Oil prices edged higher Monday, rebounding after their first negative week in four as traders returned their focus to the prospect of tighter supplies going forward.
Both contracts fell last week after a hawkish Federal Reserve stance raised concerns of a hit to economic activity and thus oil demand in the largest consumer in the world.
However, prices remain near their highest levels since November last year on forecasts of a wide crude supply deficit in the fourth quarter in the wake of Saudi Arabia and Russia extending additional supply cuts to the end of the year.
By 06:15 ET, the U.S. crude futures traded 0.4% higher at $90.36 a barrel, while the Brent contract climbed 0.3% to $92.20.
Additionally, gold futures fell 0.2% to $1,942.25/oz, while EUR/USD traded 0.2% lower at 1.0628.
(Oliver Gray contributed to this item.)
