Stock Futures Mostly Unchanged Ahead of Trump’s Shutdown Talks

Stock futures were mostly unchanged ahead of a new week of trading in New York. (NYSE)

Key Points

• Stock futures were wavering as President Trump met with congressional leaders to avert a government shutdown.
• Democrats and Republicans are at an impasse over extending federal healthcare subsidies versus a “clean” funding extension.
• Prediction markets indicate a 57% to 58% chance of a government shutdown, with all major stock indexes down last week.

Stock futures were wavering ahead of President Donald Trump’s high-stakes White House meeting on Monday afternoon with congressional leaders as lawmakers race to avert a government shutdown.

Shortly after 6 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 23 points, or 0.1%, and S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq Futures also edged slightly higher.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in separate interviews each blamed the other party for the impasse that has prevented a temporary funding extension resolution from garnering enough votes to pass the Senate.

Democrats are holding out for an extension of expiring federal subsidies for health insurance policies under the Affordable Care Act, saying letting them expire could raise costs for millions of Americans. Republicans, meanwhile, are just as adamant about passing a “clean” government funding extension that gives lawmakers more time to come up with a budget for the next fiscal year, which starts on Wednesday. They insist subsidies for the healthcare plans can wait to be addressed separately.

“Here’s the problem: We have run out of clock, because Sept. 30 is the end of the fiscal year,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told CNN.

Prediction markets are tilting slightly in favor of a shutdown happening. Polymarket puts the chance at 57%, and Kalshi gives it a 58% chance.

All three major stock indexes ended down last week, but are still up for the year. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures closed down 68 points, or 0.15% last week, snapping a two-week winning streak. The Dow is up 8.7% so far this year.

The S&P 500 closed down 0.3% last week, snapping a three-week winning streak, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The S&P 500 is up nearly 13% this year.

The Nasdaq Composite closed down 0.7% last week, also snapping a three-week winning streak. The Nasdaq is up 16.4% this year.

Write to Janet H. Cho at janet.cho@dowjones.com