After a volatile trading session to end August, stock futures were higher on Friday as investors awaited the publication of fresh U.S. jobs data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 127 points, or 0.4%. Nasdaq 100 futures increased by 0.2% and S&P 500 futures increased by 0.3%.
On the strength of stronger-than-expected earnings results, database software maker MongoDB and Dell Technologies saw gains of 6% and 9%, respectively, in extended trading. After exceeding Wall Street expectations, shares of sports wear company Lululemon Athletica increased by 2%.
These actions were taken prior to the release of the August jobs report, which is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET. According to economists surveyed by Dow Jones, 170,000 new jobs were added last month. Investors are holding out hope that the report would show that the economy is actually slowing down, which would finally give the central bank a justification to stop raising benchmark interest rates.
Source (CNBC)
