U.S. equity futures pointed higher early Friday as traders positioned themselves ahead of a delayed but closely followed inflation reading. Alongside the data, markets are also watching a new gauge of consumer sentiment.

U.S. indices saw early Friday strength, with the Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones 30, and S&P 500 all pushing higher and testing key breakout levels. Pullbacks toward major support zones and the 50-day EMA are viewed as potential buying opportunities.

US stock market jumped Friday as investors awaited the Fed-favored PCE inflation report. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, Nasdaq added 0.4%, and the Dow gained 0.2%. Traders now see an 87% chance of a Fed rate cut next week.

U.S. equity futures suggest a mostly unchanged open on Friday, signaling that stocks may carry over Thursday’s muted tone as investors await critical inflation figures. Market participants appear hesitant to make bold moves ahead of the release of consumer price data—a key input to the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions—due shortly after the opening bell.

Shares of Amazon.com Inc., Boeing Co. and UnitedHealth Group Inc. were weighing on the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Thursday, as the stock market struggled to continue its recent advance, according to FactSet.

Netflix's 10-for-1 stock split may be a strategic play to meet the technical requirements for inclusion in the prestigious Dow Jones Industrial Average.

As the market approaches year-end, the Dow now sits just 1.1% below its all-time high of 48,431.57, set on November 12. Momentum has remained solid throughout 2025, with the index up 12.2% for the year and 22 of its 30 members posting positive returns.

ADP data shows private sector shed jobs last month

Major stock indexes ended higher for the seventh time in eight sessions Wednesday after initially declining following a poor private-payrolls reading and a report that Microsoft is cutting AI software sales quotas.

The market rallied broadly Wednesday, with bullish Tesla and Robinhood moves. Snowflake fell overnight on its earnings outlook.

A late-month rally propelled stocks toward record highs, with optimism over a potential Federal Reserve rate cut helping reverse an earlier slump. The S&P 500 eked out a 0.1% monthly increase, ending