Futures Muted as US Jobs Report Looms Amid Middle East Tensions

U.S. stock futures were largely flat on Friday ahead of the release of key employment data that could influence the Federal Reserve's future interest rate decisions.

The Dow futures contract had dipped by 66 points, or 0.1%, while S&P 500 futures were mostly unchanged, and Nasdaq futures rose by 54 points, or 0.2%.

The main averages on Wall Street retreated on Thursday, with the tech-heavy index down by 0.06% due to underwhelming earnings from memory-chip makers Sandisk and Western Digital that failed to live up to high expectations.

A fresh attack by Houthi militants on Saudi Arabia has also exacerbated fears of a widening Middle East conflict, which could further disrupt critical oil supply flows in the region.