Wall Street Futures Rise as Inflation Cools, Boosting Rate-Cut Hopes

US stock futures climbed Friday morning after the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation rising at a slightly slower pace than expected. The data offered investors reassurance that price pressures are easing, strengthening expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week.

• Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained about 0.5%
• S&P 500 futures rose 0.7%
• Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 1%

The September CPI report revealed annual inflation at 3%, just below forecasts of 3.1%. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.3%, a modest slowdown from August.

This cooler-than-expected reading comes after a delay caused by the government shutdown, making it the first major economic release in weeks. With nearly all market bets pointing to a Fed rate cut, investors are increasingly optimistic about a softer monetary policy path ahead.