LONDON: Wall Street was poised for a volatile session on Tuesday, with U.S. stock futures wobbling around the flatline as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of key jobs reports due later in the week.
A raft of corporate updates are on tap, with earnings from Coach Inc. COH, -2.47% CVS Health Corp. CVS, +0.31% and Sprint Corp. S, -3.59% among those expected before the bell.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average YMU5, -0.18% rose 86 points, or 0.1%, to 17,519, while those for the S&P 500 index ESU5, -0.20% picked up point, or less than 0.1%, to 2,091.75. Futures for the Nasdaq 100 index NQU5, -0.29% lost 0.50 point to 4,573.50.
The small losses built on a weak session from Monday, when all three stock averages closed firmly lower after disappointing U.S. economic data and a slump in oil prices. A report on manufacturing activity came in lower than expected, reigniting fears that growth in the world’s largest economy is losing momentum.
Data out later this week could also dictate the future trading direction. On Friday, the top-tier nonfarm-payrolls report is due, which will be scrutinized for clues to the strength of the labor-market recovery. The Federal Reserve has said it’s watching economic indicators — wages and employment numbers in particular — as it assesses when to hike interest rates.
