Investors eye inflation data as Fed cut hopes buoy U.S. futures

U.S. futures traded higher ahead of key inflation data, supported by growing market expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in December. The Dow and Nasdaq futures gained 0.4%, extending optimism from strong corporate earnings earlier this week. Analysts said investors were positioning defensively, awaiting September CPI results to gauge the Fed’s next move. Treasury yields steadied near 4.2%, while gold prices firmed slightly. Asian markets opened cautiously higher, mirroring U.S. sentiment amid steady energy prices and strong tech momentum.