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November nonfarm payrolls data due at 8.30 a.m. ET

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Ulta Beauty ( ULTA ) gains after raising annual profit forecast

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Lululemon Athletica ( LULU ) up following upbeat annual forecast

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Futures down: Dow 0.07%, S&P 500 0.10%, Nasdaq 0.05%

(Updates with prices)

By Shashwat Chauhan and Purvi Agarwal

Dec 6 (Reuters) -

Futures linked to U.S. stock indexes dipped on Friday, as

investors exercised caution in anticipation of a crucial monthly

jobs report that could influence the Federal Reserve's upcoming

interest-rate decision.

U.S. job growth likely surged in November after being

severely constrained by hurricanes and strikes, but economists

believe this might not signal a material shift in easing labor

market conditions, which should allow the Fed to cut interest

rates again this month.

"Recent Fed speakers have taken pains to leave all options

open in December and the decision remains too close to call,"

said Max McKechnie, global market strategist at J.P.Morgan Asset

Management.

"However, if we do get strong payrolls data today, revisions

to the Fed's anticipated path for interest rates next year are

all but guaranteed."

Data at 8:30 a.m. is expected to show nonfarm payrolls

likely increased by 200,000 jobs last month, while the

unemployment rate is expected to climb to 4.2%, according to a

Reuters survey of economists.

Traders currently see a near 68% chance the Fed will cut

interest rates by 25 basis points when it meets later this

month, according to CME's FedWatch Tool.

A preliminary reading of December U.S. consumer sentiment

calculated by the University of Michigan is also due for release

shortly after markets open on Friday.

Four Fed officials including San Francisco President Mary

Daly and Governor Michelle Bowman are scheduled to make public

appearances throughout the day, on the eve of a media blackout

that kicks in on Saturday in the run-up to the central bank's

Dec. 17-18 policy meeting.

U.S. stocks closed lower in the last session, with

UnitedHealth ( UNH ) down sharply and technology shares giving

up some gains after a steady increase through the week.

Despite Thursday's pullback, the S&P 500 and the

Nasdaq were on track for their third consecutive weekly

gains, while the blue-chip Dow was set for minor losses.

The three indexes are hovering near record highs as a

relentless rally in heavyweight tech stocks - a bid to cash in

on the euphoria around artificial intelligence - has led to

robust gains throughout this year.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's win in the Nov. 5

election has been another recent tailwind for stocks. Analysts

expect his tax cut policies and looser regulations could support

corporate performance.

At 06:58 a.m., Dow E-minis were down 32 points, or

0.07%, S&P 500 E-minis were down 6 points, or 0.10% and

Nasdaq 100 E-minis were down 11 points, or 0.05%.

Among early premarket movers, Ulta Beauty ( ULTA ) advanced

11.9% after the cosmetics retailer raised its annual profit

forecast, signaling a revival in demand for perfumes and makeup

during the holiday shopping season.

Lululemon Athletica ( LULU ) added 9.1% after the sportswear

maker increased its full-year forecasts, betting on resilient

demand for its athletic wear in the U.S. during the holiday

shopping season as well as continued strength in its

international business.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise ( HPE ) gained 1.2% after the

maker of AI servers beat Wall Street expectations for

fourth-quarter revenue and profit on Thursday.