Sept 22 (Reuters) – U.S. stock index futures inched lower on Monday after Wall Street’s main indexes rallied to record highs in the previous session, while uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s visa policies also dimmed sentiment.
Markets were pausing after a tech-driven rally on Friday pushed the three indexes to close at record highs for the second consecutive session, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq logging their third consecutive session of gains.
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Meanwhile, investors awaited some clarity on the U.S. president’s new policy for visas for skilled workers after the Trump administration said on Friday it would ask companies to pay $100,000 per year for H-1B worker visas.
Many sectors, especially U.S. technology, are heavily reliant on skilled workers from India and China and the announcement prompted them to warn visa holders to stay in the U.S. or quickly return.
“The H-1B visa has been a key channel for U.S.-based tech, finance, consulting, and services firms to access global skilled talent … the sharp increase in visa fees will raise costs for companies dependent on these workers, with at least some of the burden passed on to end clients,” said analysts at UBS Global Wealth Management.
At 05:33 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were down 151 points, or 0.32%, S&P 500 E-minis were down 19.5 points, or 0.29% and Nasdaq 100 E-minis were down 82.5 points, or 0.33%.
The Federal Reserve’s expected quarter-point reduction to interest rates last week and indications of more at upcoming meetings added to Wall Street’s recent rally, that was partly fueled by a revived enthusiasm around AI-linked stock trading.
Wall Street’s three main indexes are in positive territory so far in September – a month deemed historically bad for U.S. equities. The benchmark S&P 500 has shed 1.4% on average in the month since 2000, according to data compiled by LSEG.
A slew of economic data is scheduled for release this week, including that for personal consumption expenditure – the Fed’s preferred gauge of inflation – and gross domestic product.
Markets will also parse through comments from a host of policymakers on Monday, including Fed presidents John Williams, Alberto Musalem and newly appointed Governor Stephen Miran.
Reporting by Purvi Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel