Wall Street Futures Slip as Investors Await Walmart Earnings and Fed Clues

On Thursday, August 21, 2025, U.S. stock index futures drifted lower as investors braced for Walmart’s earnings report and awaited guidance from the Federal Reserve’s symposium in Jackson Hole. The recent sell-off in big-name tech firms—such as Nvidia, AMD, Palantir, and Meta—has sparked worries about stretched valuations in AI-driven sectors, compounded by growing regulatory scrutiny. Although some stocks briefly rebounded in pre-market trading, market sentiment remains fragile. Walmart shares slid about 1.3% amid expectations that its earnings may reflect a more cautious tone from consumers, weighed down by a cooling labor market and persistent inflation.

Investors are also closely watching Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s upcoming remarks for hints of a potential rate cut in September. New minutes from the Fed’s last meeting revealed a deliberate approach to monetary policy, dampening hopes for imminent policy easing. Across the board, U.S. futures showed moderate declines. In other market movements, Coty plunged 22% following a disappointing sales outlook, while CoreWeave—backed by Nvidia—rose 1.7% after Jane Street disclosed a 5.4% stake. On the economic front, traders remain alert to upcoming jobless claims and business activity data.