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Futures off: Dow 0.09%, S&P 500 0.07%, Nasdaq 0.09%
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Interactive Brokers ( IBKR ) up on S&P 500 inclusion
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EchoStar ( SATS ) jumps after AT&T ( T ) to buy spectrum licenses for $23
bln
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AMD gains on Truist Securities' bullish upgrade
(Updates before market open)
By Johann M Cherian and Sanchayaita Roy
Aug 26 (Reuters) - Wall Street's main indexes were set
for a subdued open on Tuesday, pressured by a rise in
longer-dated Treasury bond yields as President Donald Trump's
decision to fire a Federal Reserve governor renewed concerns
about the central bank's independence.
Investors also awaited Nvidia's ( NVDA ) results and a key
inflation report later this week for more insight on artificial
intelligence and interest rate cuts - the two big themes behind
recent market gains.
In an unprecedented move, Trump said he was removing Fed
Governor Lisa Cook over alleged improprieties in obtaining
mortgage loans, prompting investor unease about what it could
also mean for the outlook on monetary policy just weeks ahead of
the central bank's meeting.
Trump's action is likely to face legal challenges but, if
successful, it would let him nominate a new member to the Fed's
board at a time when he has called for lower interest rates.
"Before there were only been words and threats. Now the fact
that an actual decision has been implemented, that has garnered
the attention of the investment community more than before,"
said Peter Andersen, founder of Andersen Capital Management.
Despite lingering inflation pressures, traders have been
pricing in a 25-basis-point interest rate cut for September,
encouraged by dovish signals from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, data
pointing to labor market weakness and the likelihood that Trump
nominee Stephen Miran could fill up a recent central bank
vacancy.
"It is a very challenging defense to argue for a rate cut
currently... because the economic data does not uniformly
indicate that the economy is under great pressure and warrants a
cut," Andersen said.
Key upcoming inflation and jobs reports could prompt
investors to reassess rate-cut expectations.
At 08:48 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were down 43 points,
or 0.09%, S&P 500 E-minis were down 4.75 points, or
0.07%, and Nasdaq 100 E-minis were down 20.5 points, or
0.09%.
U.S. 10-year and 30-year Treasuries
also fell and the dollar declined against major currency
pairs. Bond yields move inversely to prices.
Nvidia's ( NVDA ) results on Wednesday will be a major catalyst for
U.S. stocks that have rallied over the past few years on the
potential earnings growth from AI. Investors will also look for
details on how the recent revenue-sharing deal with the U.S.
government could impact forecasts.
The AI enthusiasm has also pushed up valuations of Wall
Street's benchmark S&P 500 to above long-term averages,
heightening the risk of a selloff in case the chip giant falls
short of market expectations.
Nvidia's ( NVDA ) shares were marginally higher in premarket
trading.
Advanced Micro Devices ( AMD ) gained 2.6% after Truist
Securities upgraded the chip stock to "buy" from "hold".
Interactive Brokers ( IBKR ) rose 3% as the trading platform
is set to join the S&P 500 before markets open on August 28.
EchoStar ( SATS ) jumped 72% after telecom giant AT&T ( T )
said it has agreed to buy certain wireless spectrum
licenses from the satellite communications firm for about $23
billion.
Meanwhile, data showed new orders for manufactured capital
goods increased more than expected in July. Investors will also
focus on remarks from Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin.
(Reporting by Johann M Cherian and Sanchayaita Roy in
Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)