US Equity Futures Mostly Higher Pre-Bell as Traders Await August Employment Report

08:07 AM EDT, 09/04/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were mostly higher pre-bell Friday as traders awaited the employment report for August for a view on how the labor market is faring. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.1% lower, S&P 500 futures were up 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.5% higher. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller told Reuters Thursday he is leaning toward keeping interest rates steady at the central bank's September meeting if upcoming inflation data shows that price pressures are continuing to moderate. However, he added, "If inflation comes in hot, I would consider a rate hike." The EU has formally joined US-led economic sanctions on Iran. In a post on X, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, "The world is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime: We will not stop until every remaining financial lifeline has been severed." Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 0.7% at $94.87 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.8% lower at $90.53 per barrel. The unemployment rate for August, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to remain unchanged at 4.1%, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.