U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Markets Await CPI Data; Oracle Shares Surge After Earnings
Published: March 11, 2026
Economic Impact
U.S. stock futures rose Tuesday night as investors remained cautious ahead of a key inflation report expected to provide clues about the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook.
S&P 500 futures climbed 0.3% to 6,808.25 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.3% to 25,058.75 points as of 20:42 ET (00:42 GMT). Dow Jones futures rose 0.2% to 47,855.0 points.
Investors are also continuing to assess developments in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Market Response
Wall Street’s major indexes ended Tuesday’s regular session little changed, as investors avoided large bets ahead of Wednesday’s release of the February Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The inflation data is expected to provide fresh signals about U.S. price pressures and the Federal Reserve’s future interest rate path.
Markets have recently become particularly sensitive to inflation risks following a sharp surge in oil prices. Energy costs could push consumer prices higher again if the increase persists.
Oil prices briefly surged near $120 per barrel on Monday amid concerns that escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran could disrupt global supply.
However, prices declined Tuesday after President Donald Trump said the conflict with Iran could end soon, easing fears of prolonged supply disruptions in the Middle East.
Technical and Fundamental Analysis
- Technical: U.S. stock futures posted modest gains but remain range-bound as investors await key inflation data.
- Fundamental: The recent spike in oil prices has intensified inflation concerns. Rising energy costs could complicate the Federal Reserve’s plans for potential monetary easing.
Key Takeaway for Investors
Markets remain cautious ahead of critical inflation data that could influence Federal Reserve policy expectations.
Enterprise software company Oracle reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, sending its shares up about 10% in after-hours trading.
