By Johann M Cherian and Shristi Achar A
(Reuters) - The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were poised to edge higher at open on Friday after a key inflation reading came in softer than expected, boosting recent investor optimism that the Federal Reserve could lower borrowing costs next year.
The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, considered to be the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, climbed 2.6% in November on an annual basis, compared with expectations of a 2.8% rise, per economists polled by Reuters.
The core inflation figure, which excludes volatile food and energy components, rose 3.2% on a yearly basis, compared with an estimated 3.3% rise.
"The data today is unambiguously better and the inflation trend continues in the right direction whether you look at the headline PCE or the core PCE," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth.
Another report, however, showed durable goods rose 5.4% in November, stronger than estimates of a 2.2% rise.
"It (durable goods) is still in contraction, so any good news on that front means we're eventually getting out of what has been a recession," Hogan added.
Analysts also said light trading volumes ahead of the Christmas break was also impacting the day's trades.
Traders see an 82.5% chance of at least a 25 basis point (bps) rate cut in March next year, and expect borrowing costs to be lower by 125 bps in September 2024, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq finished over 1% higher on Thursday after data signaled third-quarter U.S. economic growth was not as robust as originally stated, bringing the benchmark index nearly 1% away from its record closing high.
All three indexes are poised for their eighth-straight week in the green, with the S&P 500 set for its longest weekly winning streak since 2017, and the Nasdaq and the Dow since 2019.
The rally gained momentum last week after the central bank acknowledged that inflation was nearing the target rate, bringing interest rate cuts "into view".
Meanwhile, Dow component Nike (NYSE:NKE) plunged 11.4% in premarket trading after the sports-wear maker trimmed its annual sales forecast blaming cautious consumer spending, a weaker online business and more promotions, and said it plans to cut supplies of key product lines to manage costs.
Shares of other sports-wear firms like Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ:LULU), Foot locker and Dick's Sporting Goods dipped between 1.9% and 7.2%.
At 8:46 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis were down 81 points, or 0.21%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 7.75 points, or 0.16%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 36 points, or 0.21%.
Among other movers, U.S.-listed shares of Chinese gaming firms NetEase (NASDAQ:NTES) and Bilibili tumbled 20.4% and 10.2%, respectively, after Chinese regulators announced a wide range of rules aimed at curbing spending and rewards that encourage video games.
Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY) added 1.0% after Warren Buffett-led Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRKa) raised its stake in the oil firm, bringing it closer to 28%.
Karuna Therapeutics soared 47.7% after Bristol Myers Squib agreed to buy the schizophrenia drugmaker for $14 billion in cash. Bristol's shares were down 0.3%.
Markets will remain closed on Monday, Dec. 25, on account of the Christmas holiday.