US pre-open: Futures mixed as traders await August jobs data
By Iain Gilbert
Date: Friday 04 Sep 2026
(Sharecast News) - Wall Street futures were mixed early Friday as markets looked ahead to the big August jobs print as Treasury yields steadied.
As of 1230 BST, Dow Jones futures were down 0.05%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 futures had the indices opening 0.08% and 0.48% firmer, respectively.
The Dow closed 624.16 points higher on Thursday as equities had took support from a pullback in yields after Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller said he would be "inclined" to back holding rates at the current 3.5% to 3.75% target range at the FOMC's September meeting.
Early on Friday, the benchmark 10‑year Treasury yield was unchanged at 4.7541%, while the rate‑sensitive two‑year held at 4.3390% and the longer‑dated 30‑year yield was also steady at 5.2328%.
Friday's primary focus will undoubtedly be August non-farm payrolls figures at 1330 BST, with economists expcting to see 53,000 jobs added last month, down from 23,000 in July, and the unemployment rate to come in at 4.1%.
Trade Nation's David Morrison said: "Payrolls have come in significantly below expectations for two months in a row now. In fact, the last update (for July) saw job losses of 23,000 on expectations of an increase of 85,000.
"The August update is due this afternoon, and another poor reading could be uncomfortable for the Fed Chair and his colleagues, putting pressure on them to cut rates, and thereby aligning with [resident Trump and his administration. Yesterday, vice-president JD Vance said the Fed should reduce rates to make homes more affordable.
No other data points or major corporate earnings were slated for release on Friday.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
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