U.S. Stock Futures Rise Amid Retail Earnings and Fed Symposium Focus

U.S. stock futures rose ahead of Monday's session, following a week of gains driven by expectations of potential rate cuts. Futures for the Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and S&P 500 were up 0.25%, 0.12%, and 0.15%, respectively, as of 12:50 a.m. EDT on August 18.

The previous week saw the S&P 500 increase by 0.94%, the Nasdaq 100 by 0.43%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 1.74%.

As the second-quarter earnings season concludes, major retailers including Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, and Target are scheduled to report their earnings this week.

Additionally, the Federal Reserve's annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is set to take place from August 21 to 23. The event will focus on "Labor Markets in Transition: Demographics, Productivity, and Macroeconomic Policy." Investors are particularly attentive to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming speech, seeking insights into future interest rate decisions.

"The 2025 event, which marks the symposium’s 48th year, will focus on the theme 'Labor Markets in Transition: Demographics, Productivity, and Macroeconomic Policy.'"