US STOCKS SNAPSHOT-Futures trim losses as inflation data boosts rate-cut hopes

Data showed the Producer Price Index (PPI) increased 1% on a yearly basis in December compared with a 1.3% rise expected by economists polled by Reuters. Month-on-month, it was flat versus expectations of a 0.2% increase.

U.S. stock index futures pared declines on Friday as investors cheered a softer-than-expected inflation print that bolstered expectations of early interest-rate cuts. Data showed the Producer Price Index (PPI) increased 1% on a yearly basis in December compared with a 1.3% rise expected by economists polled by Reuters. On a monthly basis, it ticked lower 0.1%, compared to an estimated 0.1% rise.

The core figure, excluding volatile items like food and energy, rose by 1.8% annually, compared with an estimated 1.9% increase. Month-on-month, it was flat versus expectations of a 0.2% increase. At 8:32 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis were down 131 points, or 0.35%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 4.5 points, or 0.09%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 13.25 points, or 0.08%.