US markets today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures indicate positive open; Cisco, Birkenstock shares, PPI data in focus

Dow Jones futures were trading 0.29% higher at 54,027 points ahead of the opening bell on Thursday, indicating a more than 250-point higher opening during the US market session on August 13.

The S&P 500 index futures were trading 0.20% higher at 7,786 points ahead of the Wall Street open, indicating a 30-point higher opening when compared to the previous equity market close, as per the exchange data.

Investing.com data also showed that the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 futures were trading flat at 29,869 points ahead of the US stock market open on Thursday’s market, indicating around a 127-point higher opening on August 13.

Key things to watch before US market opens

Inflation data review

US Bureau of Labour Statistics latest release showed that the CPI inflation rate for the 12-month period ended July 2026 came in at 3.4% easing marginally from 3.5% in June 2026, as per the data release.

The inflation data came in largely in-line with the market estimates despite the ongoing pressure from the increase in cost of medical care, airline fares, communication, education, and recreation in the US economy.

Upcoming economic data in focus

On Thursday, investors are expected to focus on the weekly jobless claims data release, along with the Producer Price Index (PPI) data for the US economy, as per the economic calendar.

The weekly jobless claims data is set to be released by the Labour Department, while the Bureau of Labour Statistics will release the PPI data at 8:30 am (ET).

US markets recap

The US equity market indices closed on a mixed note with Nasdaq and S&P 500 index ending higher, while Dow Jones ended lower amid key inflation data coming largely in-line with the broader market estimates amid the last leg of earnings and a marginal pullback in crude oil prices.

Marketwatch data showed that the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.04% lower at 53,770.27 points after the trading session on Wednesday, compared to 53,791.85 points at the previous equity market close.

The exchange data also showed that the S&P 500 index ended 0.26% higher at 7,748.50 points after the trading session on August 12, compared to 7,728.20 points at the previous Wall Street close.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index ended 0.74% higher at 29,742.60 points after the US stock market session on Wednesday, in comparison to 29,525.48 points at the previous equity market close.

US stocks to watch on August 13

Lenovo Group’s revenue reached an all-time quarterly high of $26.9 billion, up 43% year-on-year, with all business groups delivering record first-fiscal-quarter revenue and operating profit.

Crude oil pullback

After rising to more than $90 per barrel (bbl), the global crude oil prices were witnessing a marginal pullback to $86 per bbl levels during the commodity market session on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

Investing.com data showed that the global benchmark Brent crude oil prices were trading 1.87% lower at $87.31 per bbl on Thursday’s market, in comparison to $88.98 per bbl at the previous commodity market close.

The exchange data also showed that the energy prices were trading 5.8% higher over the last five sessions, more than 4% in the last one-month basis, and over 28% in the last six months.