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US Equity Futures Rise Slightly Pre-Bell as Traders Await Further Inflation Data

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US equity futures were edging slightly higher pre-bell Thursday as traders awaited another key inflation report, after yesterday's July consumer inflation reading matched forecasts.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.27% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.26%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.07% higher.

The July consumer price index rose 0.1% as expected, following a 0.4% decline in the previous month, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday.

The US and Iran have made no progress on talks to revive the interim peace deal made in June, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing a senior Iranian source. President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the US has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz, to which Iran responded that the waterway is "under Iran's control and management."

Traders also digested the latest round of earnings, with Cisco Systems (CSCO) posting higher fiscal Q4 adjusted earnings and revenue.

Applied Materials (AMAT) is expected to report its fiscal Q3 earnings after the market closes. Analysts polled by FactSet expect earnings of $3.40 per share on revenue of $9 billion.

Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 1.78% at $87.40 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 2.07% lower at $81.55 per barrel.

The July Producer Price Index, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to gain 0.2% following a 0.3% decrease in the preceding month, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

The weekly jobless claims bulletin is expected to show 202,000 new unemployment claims for the week ended Aug. 8, up from 199,000 in the prior week.

Federal Reserve Cleveland President Beth Hammack, Richmond President Thomas Barkin, and Atlanta Fed Interim President Cheryl Venable are slated to speak on Thursday.

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Dow Jones^EEM^EXI^FAS^FAZ^GLD^IBB^IGM^IGV^IPK^IVV^IWMNasdaq Composite^IYE^IYH^IYJ^IYK^IYW^PMR^QQQ^RTH^SOXXS&P 500^SPY^UNG^USO^VDC^VHT^VIS^XLE^XLF^XLI^XLK^XLP^XLV^XRT^XSD$BETH$BITO$EETH