U.S. Stock Futures Inch Higher Ahead of CPI Reaction and Fed Outlook

Pre-market trading showed modest optimism Friday, with Dow and S&P futures up 0.3% as investors assessed CPI data’s implications for monetary policy. Nasdaq-100 futures rose 0.4%, led by renewed interest in large-cap tech. Analysts said futures strength reflects confidence that cooling prices could validate a soft-landing path, though volatility may increase if Fed speakers temper rate-cut expectations before the October 29 meeting.