Wall St set to open lower as soaring oil prices, Fed caution rattle investors - Reuters

U.S. stock futures are pointing to a lower open as rising oil prices and concerns about Federal Reserve policy weigh on investor sentiment. Higher energy costs raise inflation expectations, which could complicate the Fed's interest-rate strategy and pinch corporate profit margins across multiple sectors. The combination of these two headwinds—elevated crude prices and uncertainty over monetary policy—has spooked equity markets ahead of the trading session. Oil's strength typically benefits energy stocks but pressures consumer-facing businesses and transportation-dependent industries, creating a mixed outlook for the broader market. Investors are closely watching Fed communications for signals about the pace and scope of any future rate adjustments.