Dow Futures Today Dip As Rate Worries Continue

Good morning! For Sept. 11, here are the Dow futures today, earnings reports, top stock market news, and stocks to watch…

Stock Futures Today

Dow futures today today (Friday) forecast a 25-point decline as the markets moved lower over concerns regarding whether the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week. The biggest Fed question on investors’ minds remains “Will the Fed raise interest rates?” – and their next chance to do so is at next week’s two-day policy meeting that ends Sept. 17.

Will the Fed raise interest rates

Yesterday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DIA) added 76 points as shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL) rallied after hedge fund manager Peter Tepper told CNBC that shares of the tech giant were trading at a bargain. Apple stock was up more than 2% today; however, Tepper is a little late to argue that AAPL is a great buy. Yesterday, we outlined why Apple was a must-own holding in your portfolio after the company’s product event in San Francisco. Read all about it right here.

Meanwhile, biotech stocks surged, with the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index gaining roughly 1.8% on the day. Following Apple’s strong day on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq was biotech giant Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD), which added 3.4%.

Top News in the Stock Market Today

The stock market: Investors will keep an eye today on two critical pieces of economic data. This morning, watch for the Producer Price Index and a report on consumer sentiment. Both reports will offer some insight into the direction of inflation in the U.S. economy. With the unemployment rate sitting at 5.1%, the Federal Reserve will not likely take action and raise interest rates unless there is some upward trajectory toward its inflation target of 2%.

Oil Outlook: Oil prices fell this morning after investment bank Goldman Sachs Group Inc. slashed its forecasts, citing oversupply concerns in the markets. This morning, Oil prices were off roughly 2.3% to reach $44.84. Meanwhile, Oil prices declined about 2.1% to $47.86 per barrel. Optimism in the energy sector is rising, despite falling prices. This morning, Chevron Corp. (CVX) received an upgrade from JPMorgan Chase & Co. after the investment bank dismissed concerns about the oil giant’s dividend and said the company’s operational woes are already priced into the stock.

earnings reports Reports: Companies reporting quarterly earnings reports include Kroger Co. (KR), IGATE Corp. (IGTE), and Casey’s General Stores Inc. (CASY).