Briefing.com Summary:
*Equity index futures were halted for an extended period due to a data center cooling issue but are trading again.
*Today is Black Friday, which means there will likely be an increased focus on retail stocks.
*The stock market closes early at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Treasury market closes early at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Before the open each day, there is added attention on equity index futures and what they are suggesting for the start of the regular trading session. Today is no different, but a key difference today is that the equity index futures became a news item unto themselves, with CME Group reporting that trading was halted due to a data center cooling issue.
Before the halt, they were tilted higher and signaling a modestly higher start for the major indices, which have been red hot this week with a broad rebound effort wrapped up in the renewed belief that there will be a 25-basis-point rate cut at the December FOMC meeting.
Well, the equity index futures are trading again (opened at 8:30 a.m. ET), and they continue to presage a modestly higher start. Currently, the S&P 500 futures are up 11 points and are trading 0.2% above fair value, the Nasdaq 100 futures are up 79 points and are trading 0.3% above fair value, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up 50 points and are trading 0.1% above fair value.
This positive disposition is not that surprising given the trend this week, which has seen small-cap stocks and high-beta stocks take the lead in terms of performance.
Today’s market participants may be expecting retail stocks to assume a leadership post given that today–Black Friday–belongs to the retailers and their customers. Granted, Black Friday is not what it used to be due to promotional cadences throughout the year, but it is still a thing.
To be sure, so is the AI trade and the mega-cap stock infatuation.
That may be a thing today, too, as traders preoccupy themselves with familiar approaches on a day that is high on holiday spirit but low on market-moving news items.
As a reminder, the stock market will have an early close at 1:00 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the Treasury market, which has a steady look to it this morning with the 2-yr note yield at 3.48% and the 10-yr note yield at 4.00%, will close early at 2:00 p.m. ET.
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Originally Posted November 28, 2025 – Equity index futures tilt higher, signaling positive start
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