U.S. Stock Futures Slip Ahead of Key Data and Growing Geopolitical Tensions

U.S. stock index futures dipped on Friday as investors exercised caution ahead of important business activity data and amid rising geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The market’s uncertainty was further compounded by concerns over global economic stability.

Despite Friday’s premarket decline, Wall Street’s main indexes were set to finish the week on a positive note. The benchmark S&P 500 and blue-chip Dow Jones both closed at one-week highs on Thursday, buoyed by stronger-than-expected economic data. Among the notable performers was Nvidia, the AI technology leader, which reported modest gains following its quarterly forecast.

However, in early Friday trading, Nvidia’s stock slipped by 0.8%, reflecting broader market caution. Investors are closely watching upcoming economic reports to gauge the impact on market sentiment, while geopolitical developments continue to weigh on investor confidence.

As the week progresses, market participants will remain vigilant, balancing strong economic data with global risks, including ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which have the potential to disrupt financial markets.