Stock Futures Dip as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Policy Take Center Stage
US stock futures edged lower Monday as markets braced for geopolitical fallout from Ukraine President Zelenskiy's high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump, while simultaneously positioning for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's pivotal Jackson Hole speech later this week.
S&P 500 and Dow Jones futures slipped 0.1%, mirroring losses in tech-heavy Nasdaq contracts. The muted opening follows two consecutive weekly gains, with investors now weighing Trump's controversial Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin against growing skepticism about near-term rate cuts.
All eyes turn to Powell's Friday address at the Fed's annual symposium, where central bankers historically signal policy shifts. Wednesday's release of July FOMC minutes will provide critical context, coming after recent inflation data dampened expectations for monetary easing.