Futures Rise as Earnings and Inflation Data Take Center Stage

US stock futures edged higher on Monday as investors began a week dominated by inflation data and Middle East diplomacy. The S&P 500 contracts gained about 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures rose roughly 100 points or 0.3%-0.4%. Dow futures slipped slightly, following Friday's record S&P 500 close after July payrolls unexpectedly fell by 23,000.

This unexpected decline sharply reduced expectations for another Federal Reserve rate increase in September, giving equities some breathing room. However, Brent crude remained near $84 as the Strait of Hormuz stayed largely restricted, leaving inflation as the market's biggest unresolved risk.

Investors are now focusing on Wednesday's consumer prices data and Thursday's producer prices release. Deutsche Bank analysts see CPI as potentially decisive for September policy pricing, with a softer reading strengthening the case for keeping rates unchanged.