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Futures down: Dow 0.31%, S&P 500 0.32%, Nasdaq 0.36%
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Producer inflation rises more than expected in July
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Markets reduce Fed rate cut expectations for 2025
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Deere, Tapestry flag strains from US tariffs
(Updates to before markets open)
By Johann M Cherian and Sanchayaita Roy
Aug 14 (Reuters) - Wall Street's main indexes were on
track to open lower on Thursday, after a hotter-than-expected
producer prices report dampened investor expectations of
potential interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year.
A Labor Department report showed the Producer Price Index
rose 3.3% on an annual basis in July, higher than the 2.5% gain
expected by economists polled by Reuters. On a monthly basis, it
rose 0.9%, compared with an estimated 0.2% rise.
Traders now expect the central bank to lower rates by about
58 basis points through the rest of the year, according to data
compiled by LSEG, compared with around 63 bps before the data.
But they are still fully pricing in a
quarter-percentage-point cut in September.
"It's sending a mixed message about the economy," said Peter
Andersen, founder of Andersen Capital Management in Boston.
"We have been too anxious to draw a conclusion that the
economy is fine, it's not overheated. But this wholesale data
does show that perhaps there is some inflation working and we
shouldn't be so quick to conclude that we need to cut interest
rates."
Recent data reflecting labor market weakness and a moderate
rise in consumer prices had strengthened expectations that the
central bank will potentially lower interest rates next month.
However, Thursday's report fanned concerns that U.S. tariffs
on imports could start to reflect on prices in the coming months
and could dampen a rally in U.S. stocks that had helped the
benchmark S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq log
record highs over the past two sessions.
At 08:52 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were down 141 points,
or 0.31%, S&P 500 E-minis were down 20.5 points, or
0.32%, and Nasdaq 100 E-minis were down 87.25 points, or
0.36%.
Futures tracking the rate-sensitive small-cap Russell 200
index lost 1.2%.
Investors also assessed separate data that showed the number
of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits
came in at 224,000 for the week ended August 9, compared with
estimates of 228,000.
A report also showed San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly
pushed back against the need for a 50-basis-point interest rate
cut next month, a day after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
said an aggressive half-point cut was possible.
Wall Street's recovery from April lows has also elevated
valuations of the S&P 500 beyond long-term averages, aided by
better-than-expected earnings from megacap companies and more
clarity on trade deals.
Cisco Systems ( CSCO ) forecast first-quarter revenue above
estimates, driven by the artificial intelligence boom. However,
its shares were down 2% in premarket trading.
Deere & Co ( DE ) fell 6.5% after the farm-equipment maker
reported a lower quarterly profit and tightened its annual
profit forecast, while Tapestry plunged 12% after the
Coach handbag maker forecast annual profit below estimates.
Both companies warned of tariffs impacting their business.
Later in the day, investors will also tune into remarks from
St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem, a Federal Open Market
Committee voting member this year.