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Stock futures edged lower Thursday as investors look ahead to September’s payrolls report due later this week, while tensions in the Middle East persist.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials doffed 144 points, or 0.3%, to 42,366.
Futures for the S&P 500 gave back 15.5 points, or 0.3%, at 5,744,75.
Futures for the NASDAQ let go of 73 points, or 0.4%, to 19,936.25.
October trading is off to a rough start as escalating tensions in the Middle East dampen investors’ enthusiasm. Stocks tumbled on Tuesday after Iran launched a missile attack on Israel. Investors are preparing for further uncertainty as Israel starts a ground operation into Lebanon.
The growing fears have also driven oil prices higher. U.S. crude futures rose more than 1.5%, bringing its week-to-date advance to 4.6%.
Wall Street is also looking ahead to new labour market data, with the release of weekly initial jobless claims Thursday. The main event for traders — and the Federal Reserve as it has embarked on a rate-cutting cycle — is September’s payrolls report, due on Friday morning.
In corporate news, denim maker Levi Strauss plunged about 10% after delivering mixed results for the fiscal third quarter. The company also announced that it’s considering a sale of its Dockers business, which is dragging down the overall business.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 shot higher 2%, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dumped 1.5%, ending a six-session win streak.
Oil prices regained $1.55 to $71.65 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices faded five dollars to $2,664.70
