U.S. stock futures drop as investors anticipate big box retail earnings reports and signs of a possible Federal Reserve rate cut. Target, Lowe’s, and Walmart are set to report results, offering insight on the impact of tariffs and consumer spending. Retail sales data mixed, with spending up but consumer sentiment down.

Futures tied to Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq fall before market opening. Investors await signals from the Fed on potential rate cuts in September. Last month, two governors dissented on keeping rates steady, hinting at a possible shift towards a rate cut. Minutes from the last meeting will be released.

Investors eagerly anticipate Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium. Powell may suggest openness to a rate cut without confirming it. Market trading indicates an 86.5% chance of the Fed easing rates in September. Economists expect hints of potential future cuts without a clear commitment.

La-Z-Boy misses earnings estimates, Toll Brothers exceed forecasts, James Hardie falls short and projects lower annual earnings due to a softer U.S. market. Wyoming pioneers stablecoin launch. The Frontier Stable Token aims to offer instant transactions and reduced fees, backed by dollars and short-term treasuries, available on multiple blockchains.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: US stock futures lower as investors await more earnings, hint of Fed rate cut