(Reuters) - U.S. equity funds registered their fourth successive weekly outflows in the week ended April 24, hit by fading expectations for rate cuts this year.

LSEG data showed a withdrawal of $1.2 billion from U.S. equity funds, though the figure was less than the previous week's, as optimism over solid corporate earnings, especially from major tech firms, provided some support.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Friday, driven by strong earnings from Alphabet and Microsoft ( MSFT ), while investors awaited a key inflation print that could help shape U.S. monetary policy.

Starting the year with expectations for six rate cuts, traders have now pared down their forecasts to one or two, with some even anticipating a possible rate hike.

Sector funds saw varying flows: tech funds experienced outflows of $465 million, consumer staples and utilities funds saw $343 million and $144 million leave, respectively. Conversely, energy and industrial funds reported inflows of $422 million and $479 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, U.S. bond funds reversed a previous outflow, attracting $845 million.

Money market funds also saw a turnaround, securing inflows of $5.6 billion after outflows in the preceding two weeks.