Stock Futures Edge Lower Ahead of New Week

Stocks are set to start a new week of trading on Monday in New York. (Courtesy NYSE)

Stock futures edged lower, kicking off a new week of trading after the major indexes reached new records on Friday and ahead of a looming deadline to avert a shutdown of the federal government.

Just after trading began at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 44 points, or 0.1%, while S&P 500 index futures were down 0.1%, and Nasdaq Composite futures were down 0.13%.

Republican lawmakers have been pushing to pass a funding extension beyond Sept. 30, but Democrats have pushed back, insisting that any funding bill must address the expiration of health insurance premium subsidies for plans under the Affordable Care Act and to restore funds cut from Medicaid by the Republican megabill

Last week, after Federal Reserve policymakers delivered a widely expected quarter-point cut to the federal-funds rate and issued a median projection of two more cuts before the end of the year, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq Composite all posted fresh record closes for the year.

The Dow closed up 481 points, or 1%, in the largest two-week point and percentage gain since the week ended Aug. 22, and notching its sixth record close of 2025, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The Dow is up 8.9% so far this year.

The S&P 500 closed up 1.2% last week, in its largest three-week point and percentage gain since Aug. 22, and posting its 27th record close of 2025. The S&P 500 is up 13.3% year to date.

The Nasdaq Composite closed up 2.2% last week, also posting its largest three-week point and percentage gain, and its 28th record close of 2025, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The Nasdaq is up 17.2% this year.

This week’s economic data highlight will be the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ personal consumption expenditures price index for August, coming out Friday. Consensus estimate calls for a 2.7% increase from a year ago, one-tenth of a percentage point more than in July. The core PCE price index, excluding volatile food and energy prices, is expected to rise 2.9%, matching the July figure.

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