US Stock Market Futures Surge as Oil Prices Ease

US stock market futures are trading higher on Friday, September 18, led by gains in technology stocks. Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.50%, making it the strongest performer among major US index futures. The Dow and S&P 500 futures also rose, with the former up 0.12% and the latter gaining 0.23%. These moves came after a strong performance on Thursday, when easing oil prices and lower Treasury yields provided relief to investors.

The price of Brent crude fell $1.65 to $103.17 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 61 cents to $101.30. Oil prices have been closely watched by equity investors due to their impact on inflation pressures and interest rate expectations. The Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision remains a key driver of the market, with the central bank having raised rates for the first time since 2023.

Investors are now looking for clues about the Fed's next move, with some expecting another rate hike at the October meeting. Treasury yields have also been in focus, with the benchmark 10-year yield moving above 5% before falling back to around 4.93%. Lower bond yields can reduce pressure on equity valuations, particularly for growth and technology stocks.