US stock futures edged higher on Monday as investors monitored ongoing talks between American and Chinese officials in New York, ahead of a summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The discussions are expected to focus on trade, artificial intelligence, and instability in the Middle East. Trump also said he would “probably” be willing to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of this week’s United Nations General Assembly, where he may also hold talks with other Persian Gulf leaders.
Last week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.69% and the S&P 500 slipped 0.08%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 0.72%. The moves followed the Federal Reserve’s first interest rate increase in three years, accompanied by guidance that further tightening may be needed to rein in inflation. Markets also contended with elevated oil prices and higher bond yields, underscoring mounting concerns about inflationary pressures.