(Reuters) – U.S. stock index futures slipped on Friday and signaled losses for the first week of 2024 as investors awaited a key jobs report that could test expectations for an early start to the Federal Reserve’s easing cycle.
All three of the major U.S. indexes are set to end the week in the red, with the S&P 500 on track for its worst week since late October, as investors cashed in after a nine-week winning streak driven by bets that aggressive rate cuts were on the horizon.
The Nasdaq was on course for its worst weekly performance since late September, impacted by rotation out of tech-heavy stocks into defensive sectors like healthcare, financials and utilities.
After the recent Fed meeting minutes failed to offer hints on the timeline for monetary easing, traders have dialed back rate cut expectations and now see a 65.7% chance for at least a 25 basis points (bps) rate cut in March, down from nearly 86% a week ago, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
Yields on U.S. Treasury notes, an indicator of interest rate expectations, ticked higher with the yield on the benchmark 10-year note rising over 4% to a three-week high. [US/]
All eyes are on the official non-farm payrolls report, due at 8:30 a.m. ET, which could offer clues on how long the Fed could keep credit conditions restrictive.
U.S. job growth likely moderated in December, while the increase in annual wages probably slowed to below 4% for the first time in 2-1/2 years.
“Demand for labor is moderating, which top policymakers have indicated will be crucial for hitting its 2% inflation target on a sustained basis,” analysts at UBS wrote.
“The consensus forecast is for a modest rise in the unemployment rate and a slowing of the growth in average earnings.”
At 5:46 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis were down 89 points, or 0.24%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 12.75 points, or 0.27%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 64 points, or 0.39%.
Among early movers, Tesla shed 1% in trading before the bell. The electric-vehicle maker is doing an effective recall on 1.62 million vehicles in China, the market regulator said.
Other megacap names including Microsoft, Apple and Alphabet lost between 0.1% and 0.7%.
Chipmakers like Micron Technology, Intel and Qualcomm also declined between 1.1% and 1.9%.
Applied Therapeutics tumbled 29% after the drug developer’s heart disease drug showed disappointing results in a late-stage trial.
Later in the day, investors will also parse remarks by Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin, a voting member this year.
(Reporting by Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
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