U.S. stock futures inched lower late Monday, pausing after Wall Street’s record-breaking rally led by major technology names. The pullback comes as investors weigh persistent political gridlock in Washington, a cooling labor market, and an upcoming series of Federal Reserve speeches that could shape expectations for interest rate policy.
By 7:43 p.m. ET (23:43 GMT), S&P 500 futures slipped 0.1% to 6,781.25, Nasdaq 100 futures declined 0.1% to 25,152.75, and Dow Jones futures fell 0.1% to 46,901.00.
The cautious tone followed a strong session in which the S&P 500 rose 0.4% to 6,740.28, the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.7% to 22,941.67, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.1% to 46,694.97.
Investors remain attentive to comments from several Fed officials this week—including Chair Jerome Powell—for clues on potential rate cuts as economic signals soften.
U.S. Shutdown Drags On Without Resolution
The U.S. government shutdown entered another week with no breakthrough on a spending agreement, leaving key economic data and public services in limbo. The Senate adjourned Monday without progress, prolonging uncertainty around fiscal policy.
President Donald Trump signaled willingness to discuss healthcare reforms but insisted negotiations could proceed only after the government reopens. Meanwhile, Democrats continue to oppose the current Republican spending proposal, pressing for the extension of healthcare subsidies for millions of Americans.
The shutdown has already delayed September’s nonfarm payrolls data and disrupted multiple federal functions, including air traffic control and disaster relief. Economists warn the economic toll could mount rapidly—mirroring the 2018–19 shutdown that shaved an estimated $11 billion from U.S. GDP.
Analysts highlight several key concerns:
- Extended shutdown risks slowing near-term GDP growth
- Delays in key labor data obscure monetary policy outlook
- Potential furloughs could weaken an already fragile job market
Tech Stocks Power Wall Street’s Gains
Wall Street’s Monday rally was powered by tech, with Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) soaring nearly 24% after inking a deal to supply chips to artificial intelligence leader OpenAI. The announcement sparked optimism across the semiconductor sector, though NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) dipped 1.1% as investors rotated toward AMD.
Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) jumped 5.5% ahead of a much-anticipated Tuesday event, with reports suggesting it will unveil a low-cost model aimed at expanding global EV adoption.
The combination of AI-driven enthusiasm and resilient tech earnings has kept the market’s momentum strong, though analysts caution that sustained fiscal and political uncertainty could limit further gains.
