U.S. stock futures opened mostly flat on Monday as investors awaited the release of the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, scheduled for Tuesday morning. The CPI is one of the most closely watched indicators of inflation in the U.S. and could play a major role in shaping Federal Reserve policy in the months ahead.
Despite the overall cautious tone, several individual stocks made notable moves. CoreWeave surged 8% after strong demand for its AI computing services. Micron Technology climbed 4.1%, extending its recent rally in the semiconductor sector. Tesla gained 2.9%, pushing the stock into a new buy zone amid improving technical momentum.
Analysts say the market’s muted response reflects a “wait-and-see” attitude. “Investors are being cautious ahead of a data point that could move rates, the dollar, and stocks in a big way,” said one market strategist.
Economists expect July’s CPI to show a modest cooling in price growth compared to the previous month. However, any upside surprise could reignite concerns about sticky inflation and delay potential interest rate cuts. On the flip side, softer-than-expected data might fuel optimism for a more dovish Fed stance later this year.
With earnings season winding down, macroeconomic data like CPI will likely dominate market sentiment this week. Traders will also keep an eye on other key releases, including producer price inflation and consumer sentiment reports.
For now, Wall Street is holding its breath—but by tomorrow, the market may have a much clearer direction.