U.S. stock futures today in the red as Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq fall ahead of pivotal inflation report — Tesla, AMD, Apple, Nvidia lead market movers

US Stock market Future dips ahead of key inflation report- Wall Street is waking up to a sea of red today as all three major U.S. indices—Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq—slip in premarket trading. Investors are bracing for a pivotal inflation report that could determine the Federal Reserve’s next move on interest rates, while tech heavyweights like AMD, Apple, and Nvidia are steering the early market mood.

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: around 43,975, down approximately 0.45% (roughly 200 points)
• S&P 500: approximately 6,373, slipping about 0.25% (around 16 points)
• Nasdaq Composite: near 21,385, off by about 0.30% (some 64 points)

Why is the CPI report so important right now?

The upcoming CPI data is expected to show a 0.2% increase in prices from July, with the annual inflation rate estimated at 2.8%. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, is forecast to rise 0.3% month-over-month and 3.0% year-over-year. These figures are crucial because they provide insight into the inflationary pressures the economy is facing—information the Federal Reserve uses to decide on interest rate adjustments. Market participants are watching closely, given that current pricing signals an 88% chance the Fed will implement a 25 basis point rate cut at its September meeting. A lower-than-expected inflation print could accelerate this move, while a surprise uptick might prompt the Fed to pause or reconsider.

• SPY (S&P 500 ETF): Down about 0.22%, signaling a mild pullback in the broader U.S. large-cap index.
• DIA (Dow Jones ETF): Fell around 0.43%, indicating some weakness in high-profile, industrial-heavy names.
• QQQ (Nasdaq-100 ETF): Declined roughly 0.29%, showing that tech and growth sectors are retreating slightly.

How are individual stocks reacting amid inflation jitters?

Despite the broader market’s cautious tone, some stocks bucked the trend. Tesla shares jumped 4% after the electric car maker surpassed a key technical resistance level, signaling renewed investor confidence. AMC Entertainment rallied an impressive 36% following earnings that exceeded Wall Street expectations.

• Tesla continued its upward momentum today, with shares climbing approximately 2.8% to $339.03, marking a fresh breakout and its strongest close since late June . The rally extended a five-day winning streak on the back of strategic business developments.

Nvidia (NVDA) shares fell 0.3% to $182.06 in premarket trade after confirming a 15% China sales revenue-sharing agreement with the U.S. government to maintain export licenses. While the move secures market access, analysts warn it could squeeze margins. Still, Wells Fargo raised its price target to $220, citing strong AI chip demand.
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) slid 0.28% to $172.28, also caught in the same China revenue deal. Some analysts see the pullback as a buying opportunity, pointing to AMD’s pipeline in AI and server processors.
Apple (AAPL) slipped 0.9% to $227.18 after Richard Bernstein Advisors disclosed a partial second-quarter stake reduction. The sell-off comes despite Apple posting resilient earnings and benefiting from tariff relief on certain components.
Conversely, C3.ai plunged 26% after issuing a revenue forecast that fell short of analysts’ estimates, coupled with a downgrade to “underperform” from a major brokerage. These mixed moves highlight how company-specific factors still play a strong role amid overarching economic concerns.

• Equillium, Inc. (EQ) — soared 78.9%, leading the rally.
• Entero Therapeutics, Inc. (ENTO) — climbed 66.5%, making a strong leap.
• Telos Corporation (TLS) — jumped 62.6%, one of the day’s standout performers.
• International Money Express, Inc. (IMXI) — surged 60.6%, rounding out the top four gainers.

What’s happening with gold and commodities?

Gold prices continued their decline, with SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD) falling 1.4% to $308.55. The drop followed President Trump’s clarification that gold would not face new tariffs, reducing safe-haven appeal. Analysts note that bullion could regain traction if CPI data signals slowing inflation, boosting rate-cut expectations.

What does this mean for investors moving forward?

The inflation report is poised to set the tone for the market in the weeks ahead. A softer inflation reading could embolden risk-taking and push stocks higher, while stubborn inflation may keep volatility elevated and pressure interest rates. For investors, understanding these dynamics is vital as they weigh portfolio adjustments against the Federal Reserve’s evolving policy outlook.

Beyond Tuesday’s inflation report, traders are eyeing retail sales data later this week for clues on consumer strength, as well as speeches from several Fed officials that could offer fresh policy signals. Earnings from Cisco Systems, Applied Materials, and Home Depot are also on deck, potentially adding sector-specific volatility.

As markets await the inflation snapshot, analysts caution that even a slight deviation from expectations could trigger significant market swings. For now, patience and vigilance remain key as traders digest fresh data and recalibrate strategies.

This inflation-sensitive moment underscores the delicate balancing act facing the U.S. economy, with investors keenly focused on inflation trends and Fed moves that will influence markets well into 2026.

FAQs:

Q1. What is the stock market today reacting to?
The market is reacting to the upcoming July CPI inflation report.

Q2. Why is the CPI report important for the stock market today?
It could influence the Federal Reserve’s September interest rate decision.