Wall Street Set to Open Higher Friday; Nonfarm Payrolls Fall Well Short of Forecasts

09:22 AM EDT, 09/05/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US stocks look set to open higher in Friday's trading session as investors parse key jobs data showing non-farm payrolls rose far less than expected, stoking expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut later this month.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.08%, S&P 500 futures were up 0.40%, and Nasdaq futures were rising 0.90%.

Oil prices were moving lower, with front-month global benchmarks Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate crude declining 2.1% and 2.3% respectively.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei rose 1.03%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng surged 1.43%, and China's Shanghai Composite gained 1.24%. Meanwhile in Europe's early afternoon session, the UK's FTSE 100 was up 0.4%, while Germany's DAX increased 0.2% and France's CAC 40 was rising 0.3%.

Nonfarm payrolls rose by only 22,000 in August from July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Analysts were expecting the figure to rise by 75,000, according to Bloomberg. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for August ticked higher to 4.3% from 4.2% the previous month, and met analysts forecasts, according to Bloomberg.

In equities, shares of Twin Vee Powercats (VEEE) soared 63% after gaining 6.7% the previous day. Hour Loop (HOUR) shares jumped 59%, piling on to a 49% gain from Thursday. Shares of Braze (BRZE) advanced 25% after it reported fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings late Thursday that beat analysts expectations. Stock in Hong Kong Pharma Digital Technology (HKPD) rose 35% after a 7% loss the previous session. And Guidewire Software (GWRE) shares were up nearly 17% after RBC raised its price target on the stock to $300 From $290.

On the losing side, shares of Quanex Building Products (NX) tumbled 19% after it reported fiscal Q3 adjusted earnings late Thursday that missed analysts' forecast, and lowered its 2025 net sales guidance. lululemon athletica (LULU) lost 20% after it said overnight that it is lowering its full-year financial outlook. BrilliA's (BRIA) stock dropped almost 19% after surging 62% the previous session. American Outdoor Brands (AOUT) shares shed 16% after it reported late Thursday that it swung to a loss in Q1. And shares of Indaptus Therapeutics (INDP) fell 18%, adding to a 15% loss the previous day.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.