US Futures Steady Ahead of Key Jobs Report

US stock futures held steady on Friday as investors return from a one-day holiday, with focus now turning to a crucial monthly jobs report.

The nonfarm payrolls report is expected to show further signs of a cooling labor market in the US, supporting the case for the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates soon.

On Wednesday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite gained 0.51% and 0.88%, respectively, with both benchmarks closing at new record highs.

Meanwhile, the Dow shed 0.06%.

Those moves came as a surprise contraction in US services activity and disappointing private employment numbers in the US bolstered dovish bets on Fed monetary policy.

Tesla led the market higher, rallying 6.5% to extend its week-to-date gains to around 32% amid improved deliveries.

AI-related chip firms also outperformed, including Nvidia (4.6%), Broadcom (4.3%), Super Micro Computer (1.2%), Taiwan Semiconductor (3.9%) and Micron Technology (3.2%).