---
title: "Traders Eye Jobs Report as US Equity Futures Slip Pre-Bell"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/278111166.md"
description: "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."
datetime: "2026-03-06T13:21:00.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/278111166.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278111166.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/278111166.md)
---

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

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&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.

### Related Stocks

- [.NDX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/.NDX.US.md)
- [.DJU.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/.DJU.US.md)
- [.IXIC.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/.IXIC.US.md)
- [.SPX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/.SPX.US.md)
- [.DJI.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/.DJI.US.md)
- [SPY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SPY.US.md)
- [QCLR.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/QCLR.US.md)
- [VOO.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/VOO.US.md)
- [QQQ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/QQQ.US.md)
- [QQQM.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/QQQM.US.md)
- [ONEQ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ONEQ.US.md)
- [DJD.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DJD.US.md)
- [UPRO.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UPRO.US.md)
- [UDOW.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UDOW.US.md)
- [DDM.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DDM.US.md)
- [IVV.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/IVV.US.md)
- [SSO.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SSO.US.md)
- [DIA.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DIA.US.md)

## Related News & Research

- [What's Going On With Sandisk Shares on Monday?](https://longbridge.com/en/news/282538178.md)
- [Power surge: We were promised affordable electricity. Instead, we got higher prices](https://longbridge.com/en/news/282715996.md)
- [Why Is Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) Soaring Today, 4/8/2026?](https://longbridge.com/en/news/282033826.md)
- [FIS Dividend Yield Pushes Past 4%](https://longbridge.com/en/news/282391800.md)
- [Bessent says core inflation is going down, Fed will need to cut rates](https://longbridge.com/en/news/282728153.md)