The floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was bustling with activity on June 11, 2025.
On Thursday, stock futures showed minimal movement as traders braced for key non-farm payroll reports.
Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average edged up by 4 points (0.01%), while the S&P 500 futures moved up just slightly by 0.09%. Nasdaq 100 futures increased by 0.2%.
Attention was on the August non-farm payroll report expected on Friday morning, especially after recent highs in stock prices. The S&P 500 had reached a record closing on Thursday.
This was happening even in light of disappointing ADP private payroll data. Investors are hopeful that the report will bolster the Federal Reserve’s case for anticipated rate cuts at the upcoming policy meeting in September. Currently, futures trading indicates a 97% likelihood that benchmark interest rates will dip if the Fed decides on September 17.
Still, Friday’s Labor Bureau report on non-farm salaries holds more significance than the private figures.
Chris Larkin, Managing Director of e-Trade trading and investments from Morgan Stanley, noted, “Tomorrow’s work report will be crucial. So far this week, the data has suggested a slowdown in the labor market. In the near term, the market should be factoring in a higher chance of a Fed rate cut, possibly responding positively to the data. Although, if the numbers come in too strong, it could spark worries about economic stability.”
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones predicted an increase of 75,000 non-farm payroll jobs in August.
This week, stocks have taken center stage. The S&P 500 climbed 0.7%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.2%. Meanwhile, the Dow, comprised of 30 stocks, gained 0.2%.
Additionally, Broadcom’s earnings may further fuel the AI-driven market. The chipmaker reported a 63% increase in third-quarter revenue, buoyed by strong demand for specialized AI accelerators. Shares climbed over 4% in after-hours trading.
