Futures Climb Anticipating Inflation Report



Stock futures climbed Friday as investors prepared for a crucial inflation reading that’s closely watched by the Federal Reserve.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials advanced 95 points, or 0.2% to 41,534.

Futures for the S&P 500 grabbed 26.5 points, or 0.5%, at 5,636.

Futures for the NASDAQ leaped 159.25 points, or 0.8%, to 19,552.50.

On the week, the S&P 500 was on pace for a decline of 0.8% and the NASDAQ could slip 2% — the first losing week in three for both indexes.
The Dow is on pace for its third positive week, up 0.4% in the period.

A new catalyst for stocks awaits on Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET: the personal consumption expenditures price index. Economists polled by Dow Jones anticipate a 0.2% monthly increase in July for headline prices, or 2.5% on an annual basis. The core reading is expected to have gained 0.2% from the prior month, or 2.7% from 12 months earlier.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.7% Friday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index cleared breakeven 1.1%.

Oil prices stayed put at $75.91 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices were down $7.20 to $2,553.10.