US Stock Futures Rise on Rate Cut Hopes and Oracle Deal

US stock futures recorded modest gains at the start of Friday's trading, as investor risk appetite continued to improve, supported by expectations of ongoing monetary easing next year.

Futures linked to the S&P 500 rose by about 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 futures increased by 0.4%, and Dow Jones futures remained largely unchanged. This performance follows a strong session the day before, during which the S&P 500 posted its largest daily gain since the beginning of the month.

Focus on Rates and Major Deals

Markets continue to price in a scenario that allows the Federal Reserve to maintain interest rate cuts through 2026, amid signs of easing inflationary pressures, supporting valuations for growth and technology stocks.

In this context, Oracle shares jumped over 4% in pre-market trading after announcing an agreement to sell TikTok's US operations to a new entity in which Oracle partners with private equity firm Silver Lake, boosting sentiment within the technology sector.

Micron Technology shares also extended their gains, rising by about 1.6%, continuing a rally that has surpassed 10% in the previous session, driven by optimism regarding demand for AI-related memory chips.

Pressure on Consumer Stocks

Conversely, Nike shares faced significant pressure, dropping over 10% following the company's weaker-than-expected performance in the Chinese market, alongside the impact of high tariffs on profit margins.

FedEx shares traded without a clear direction after quarterly results failed to provide strong incentives for investors.

Mixed Weekly Performance

For the week so far, the S&P 500 has gained nearly 0.8%, while the Dow Jones rose by about 1%, whereas the Nasdaq remains down approximately 0.8%, reflecting ongoing divergence between value and growth stocks.