<div id="readability-page-1" class="page">08:21 AM EST, 03/06/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were lower pre-bell Friday as traders looked ahead to the crucial monthly jobs report.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.7%, S&amp;P 500 futures were 0.7% lower, and Nasdaq futures were down 0.9%.The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran entered its seventh day on Friday, with Tehran effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping chokepoint.Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 3.3% at $88.27 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 5.4% higher at $85.42 per barrel.The February jobs report, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to show a 55,000 increase in nonfarm payrolls following a 130,000 rise in the prior month. The unemployment rate is projected to hold steady at 4.3%. Meanwhile, retail sales are expected to decline 0.3% for January, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.</div>

US equity futures fell pre-bell on Friday, with Dow Jones down 0.7%, S&P 500 down 0.7%, and Nasdaq down 0.9%, as traders awaited the monthly jobs report. The February report is expected to show a 55,000 increase in nonfarm payrolls, with the unemployment rate steady at 4.3%. Oil prices rose, with Brent crude up 3.3% and WTI crude up 5.4%. The ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran has led to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global shipping.

- US equity futures declined as traders anticipated the monthly jobs report.  
- The ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran has affected oil prices, with Brent crude rising 3.3% and West Texas Intermediate crude increasing 5.4%.  
- The February jobs report is expected to indicate a rise of 55,000 nonfarm payrolls, with the unemployment rate remaining stable at 4.3%.

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Traders Eye Jobs Report as US Equity Futures Slip Pre-Bell