Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures rise to usher in final trading week packed with data

US stock futures advanced on Monday as investors put a brutal week behind them, waiting for a flurry of key economic data in coming days to help set expectations for interest rates in 2026.

Contracts on the S&P 500 (ES=F) and on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) gained 0.4% on the heels of sharp closing losses on Friday. Meanwhile, contracts on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (YM=F) also rose 0.4%.

Recently, jitters about over-cooked AI expectations have prompted investors to jump out of tech and into value stocks. That has pressure on the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) and the S&P 500 (^GSPC), but sparing the Dow (^DJI) the worst, given it it includes fewer tech names. But many strategists see the rotation as positive, the sign of a broadening in support for stocks from narrow tech leadership.

Markets are now entering this year’s final full week of trading bolstered by Wall Street optimism for stocks heading into the new year. Analysts see President Trump’s influence on a reshaped Federal Reserve and his One, Big, Beautiful Bill as likely to deliver monetary and fiscal stimulus that is bullish for stocks and corporate earnings.

This week brings big tests of hopes for more Fed easing, with the release of pivotal economic data delayed by the US government shutdown. The monthly jobs report for November is due on Tuesday, while an inflation reading for the same month is slated for Thursday. An update on October retail sales is also on the packed docket, all closely watched as investors deliberate over whether policymakers are close to being done with rate cuts.

A key factor is how the Fed changes once Chair Jerome Powell’s term ends in May. Trump, who has called aggressively for lower rates, has flagged Kevin Hassett as frontrunner to replace him, with Kevin Warsh also in contention. On Sunday, White House economic adviser Hassett said he’d consider Trump’s policy opinions if chosen, but the Fed’s rate decisions would remain independent.