DJIA futures down 32 points (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - New York, 16 Aug - US futures were slightly lower as investors chewed over data signalling an interest rate cut next month looks something like a dead certainty.

Wall Street posted one of its best days of the year yesterday after strong retail sale and jobless prints confounded expectations and pointed to a US economy that remains resilient.

The S&P 500 surged 1.6% to record its sixth straight winning session and its fourth-best day of the year. The Dow was up 1.4% while the Nasdaq jumped 2.3%.

The stronger-than-expected retail sales print followed inflation data earlier in the week boosting hopes that a soft landing for the economy is on the cards as pricing pressure slowly falls towards the Federal Reserve's target growth rate of 2%.

The CME Group's FedWatch Tool is currently pricing in a 100% chance of a Fed rate cut at the next policy meeting in September with the chance of more to come later in the year.

Housing starts and consumer-sentiment data later today will offer more insights into the state of the economy and how consumers are coping.

On the stocks front, shares in giant retailer Walmart were steady after jumping more than 6% yesterday following strong quarterly results. Tax-preparation firm H&R Block shares surged 8% in premarket trading after better-than-expected earnings and outlook.

Futures on the Dow Jones were down 32.00 points, or 0.08%, S&P 500 futures were down 7.50 points, or 0.13%, while futures on the Nasdaq were 11.00 points, or 0.06%, lower.

AAA-Sje

(RADIOCOR) 16-08-24 14:06:58 (0269) 5 NNNN