Wall Street dipped modestly lower early today, the Associated Press reports, as markets await an assortment of employment data of interest to the Federal Reserve as it sets its sights on keeping the U.S. economy healthy and growing. Futures for the S&P 500 were down less than 0.1% before the bell, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.2% lower.
Wall Street has catapulted to records recently on hopes the slowing U.S. economy can keep growing while the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates to offer it more juice. A big test will arrive Friday, when the U.S. government offers its latest monthly update on the job market.
Coming later today is the latest data on job openings, and the latest jobless claims report will be issued on Thursday.
In other dealings this morning, benchmark U.S. crude oil lost 50 cents to $67.67 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, gave up 42 cents at $71.28 per barrel.
The dollar was trading at 143.72 yen, up from 143.62 yen.
