Stock futures are little changed after major averages post gains; Walmart earnings loom: Live updates

US stock futures showed minimal movement on Thursday as major market averages recovered previous gains, with investors preparing for Friday's release of the personal consumption expenditures price index, a closely watched inflation metric that could influence Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions. The muted futures activity follows a positive session where major indexes posted solid gains, suggesting a period of consolidation as market participants await fresh catalysts. The PCE index, the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, is expected to provide critical insights into price trends that could determine the central bank's next moves on interest rates. Meanwhile, investors are also keeping an eye on corporate earnings, with retail giant Walmart set to report its quarterly results, which could offer further signals about consumer spending patterns in the current economic environment. The combination of key economic data and corporate earnings results creates a potentially volatile trading environment as markets seek direction in the face of persistent inflation concerns and uncertainty about future monetary policy.