US stock futures rise as weak payrolls put rate cuts back on the menu

Investing.com-- U.S. stock index futures rose in evening deals on Sunday, following a strong session on Wall Street after weaker-than-expected labor data saw investors ramp up bets on a September rate cut. 

Some strong earnings also aided sentiment, especially those from iPhone maker Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), which clocked a smaller-than-expected decline in revenue and profit. 

The first-quarter earnings season is set to continue this week, while a string of key Federal Reserve officials are also due to speak, with the latter offering more cues on interest rates.

S&P 500 Futures rose 0.2% to 5,162.25 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.1% to 18,019.75 points by 19:18 ET (23:18 GMT). Dow Jones Futures rose 0.2% to 38,897.0 points. 

September rate cut bets rise after payrolls data 

Softer-than-expected nonfarm payrolls data, released on Friday, ramped up hopes that the labor market was cooling according to the Federal Reserve’s expectations, setting up the bank for an eventual rate cut this year. 

Traders bet that the bank will begin trimming rates by as soon as September, but still maintained only around a 44% probability of such a scenario, according to the CME Fedwatch tool.

While the labor market may be showing some signs of cooling, inflation still remains well above the Fed’s 2% annual target, and may delay any rate cut plans for the central bank.

Focus this week is on addresses from a slew of Fed members for more cues on interest rates. FOMC members Thomas Barkin and John Williams are set to speak later on Monday. 

Williams had warned last week that the Fed’s 2% annual inflation target remained crucial. 

Wall St nurses April losses, more earnings on tap 

The S&P 500 rose 1.3% to 5,127.79 points on Friday. The NASDAQ Composite surged nearly 2% to 16,156.33 points, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.2% to 38,675.68 points. 

While Wall Street clocked a strong start to May, it was still nursing steep losses through April, hit by the prospect of U.S. rates remaining higher for longer. Even with Friday’s soft payrolls data, investors were still seeking more signs that the U.S. economy was cooling. 

The earnings season is set to continue  this week, also offering Wall Street more cues. Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE:UBER) and Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) are among the major large-cap companies on tap.