U.S. stock futures experienced modest gains earlier in the week ahead of key inflation data releases, with investors anticipating the impact on Federal Reserve policy. Early reports indicated a 96% probability of a rate cut following July's softer-than-expected headline inflation figures. However, by Thursday, futures flattened as markets awaited further inflation data, including the Producer Price Index (PPI) report. Treasury yields declined amid this cautious sentiment. Later on Thursday, U.S. stocks opened lower, influenced by wholesale inflation data that exceeded expectations, increasing uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's next moves.