US pre-open: Futures rebound after NFP volatility, attention turns to CPI

17th Dec 2025 10:50

(Sharecast News) - Wall Street futures were in the green ahead of the bell on Wednesday as investors continued to weigh the latest non-farm payrolls reports ahead of tomorrow's consumer price index.

As of 1230 GMT, Dow futures were up 0.13%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 futures had the indices opening 0.24% and 0.28% firmer, respectively.

The Dow closed 302.30 points lower on Tuesday, extending losses recorded in the previous session as market participants digested key payrolls data.

US jobs data, released on Tuesday, was still in focus before the open on Wednesday after showing a sharp contraction in October, followed by modest growth in November.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, non‑farm payrolls fell by 105,000 in October, while the unemployment rate climbed to 4.6% - the highest since September 2021. November's report, however, pointed to a gain of 64,000 jobs, ahead of consensus forecasts for a 45,000 increase.

On the macro front, US mortgage applications fell 3.8% week-on-week in the seven days ended 12 December, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, following a 4.8% increase in the previous week to mark the biggest drop in a month. Applications to purchase a home declined 2.8%, while applications to refinance a home loan sunk 3.6%.

Elsewhere, Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller and New York Fed president John Williams will deliver speeches at 1315 GMT and 1405 BMT, respectively, while Atlanta Fed head Raphael Bostic was slated to speak at 1730 GMT.

In the corporate space, multinational food manufacturer General Mills reaffirmed its full-year outlook early on Wednesday, even as it said quarterly profits had fallen as a result of price cuts.

Still to come, Micron Technology will report earnings after the close.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com