With the robust gains of 2023 in the rear view mirror, Wall Street was poised to open with losses on the first trading day of 2024, the Associated Press reports. Futures for the S&P 500 lost 0.8% before the bell today, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.6%.
Investors and economists will get a trove of employment data this week, with the government reporting November job openings on Wednesday, weekly jobless claims on Thursday, and the closely-watched December jobs report on Friday.
Stocks fell Friday on Wall Street from their near all-time highs amid easing inflation, a resilient economy, and the prospect of lower interest rates, which buoyed investors.
In other trading today, U.S. benchmark crude oil gained $1.66 to $73.31 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the international standard, added $1.52 to $78.56 per barrel.
The U.S. dollar rose to 142.11 Japanese yen from 140.88 yen. Bitcoin climbed to $45,441, its highest level since April 2022.
