After moving sharply higher over the course of the previous session, stocks may give back some ground in early trading on Friday. The major index futures are currently pointing to a modestly lower open for the markets, with the Dow futures down by 20 points.
Lingering concerns about the outlook for the Federal Reserve's asset purchase program may weigh on the markets, inspiring traders to cash in on yesterday's gains.
While upbeat retail sales and jobless claims data released Thursday generated optimism about the outlook for the economy, the reports also suggested that the Fed may scale back its stimulus program in the relatively near future.
Recent comments from Fed officials have suggested that signs of sustained economic improvement may lead the central bank to taper the program within the next few meetings.
On the economic front, the Labor Department recently released a report showing that producer prices rose by more than anticipated in the month of May, with the price growth largely due to a notable rebound by energy prices.
Shortly before the start of trading, the Federal Reserve is scheduled to release a separate report on industrial production in the month of May. Economists expect production to increase by 0.2 percent.
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Market Analysis
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.