{"id":57953,"date":"2026-01-22T10:07:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T14:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-futures-signal-continued-rally-as-inflation-data-looms\/57953\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T10:07:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T14:07:36","slug":"market-futures-signal-continued-rally-as-inflation-data-looms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/market-futures-signal-continued-rally-as-inflation-data-looms\/57953\/","title":{"rendered":"Market Futures Signal Continued Rally as Inflation Data Looms"},"content":{"rendered":"

U.S. stock futures are pointing to a higher open on Thursday, January 22, 2026, signaling an extension of Wednesday's robust relief rally. Investors are keenly awaiting key inflation data, particularly the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, which is the Federal Reserve's preferred gauge, alongside weekly jobless claims and revised GDP figures. The positive sentiment in premarket<\/a> trading follows a significant de-escalation of geopolitical tensions that had weighed on markets earlier in the week.<\/p>\n

Premarket Activity and Index Futures<\/h2>\n

As of early Thursday, futures contracts for the major U.S. indexes are showing solid gains. Nasdaq 100 futures are up approximately 0.8% to 0.9%, while S&P 500<\/a> futures have risen between 0.5% and 0.6%. Dow Jones<\/a> Industrial Average futures are also advancing, up around 0.3% to 0.4%. This premarket<\/a> strength builds on Wednesday's performance, where all three major indexes rebounded by about 1.2% each, with the S&P 500 experiencing its largest one-day increase since November.<\/p>\n

The renewed optimism stems from President Donald Trump's decision to back off threats of imposing new tariffs on eight European allies over Greenland. This easing of geopolitical concerns has provided a significant boost to market sentiment, allowing investors to refocus on economic fundamentals and corporate earnings. Technology stocks, particularly those linked to artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, are notably outperforming in premarket trading, with all "Magnificent Seven" members showing advances. Small-cap stocks, represented by the Russell 2000, are also anticipated to continue their recent strong run.<\/p>\n

Key Market Indexes: Recent Performance<\/h2>\n

Wednesday saw a broad-based rally across Wall Street. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the benchmark S&P 500 all closed up approximately 1.2%. This rebound was a direct response to the de-escalation of tariff tensions, reversing a sharp selloff that occurred earlier in the week. The S&P 500's performance marked its biggest advance since November, indicating a strong return of investor confidence following the geopolitical news.<\/p>\n

Upcoming Market Events<\/h2>\n

Today's trading will be heavily influenced by several crucial economic data releases. At 10:00 AM ET, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis is set to release the delayed Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index for October and November. This inflation gauge is closely watched by the Federal Reserve and will be a key factor in shaping expectations for future monetary policy decisions. Economists anticipate the Core PCE Price Index to have risen 2.8% year-on-year in November.<\/p>\n

In addition to inflation data, investors will also be reviewing the latest figures on weekly jobless claims and revised third-quarter U.S. GDP data. The initial estimate for real GDP growth in the third quarter of 2025 was 4.3%. Other scheduled economic releases for Thursday include Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses (Annual) for 2024 and Work Experience of the Population (Annual) for 2024, both at 10:00 AM ET.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, the Federal Reserve's next meeting is scheduled for January 27-28. The incoming inflation and labor market data will be critical in influencing the Fed's stance on interest rates, with a cooling labor market and softer inflation potentially supporting a more dovish rate path and boosting demand for U.S. equity futures.<\/p>\n

Major Stock News and Company Announcements<\/h2>\n

Several companies are making headlines in premarket trading due to earnings reports and corporate developments:<\/p>\n