Indication of downward trend as the holiday-shortened trading week approaches, with attention shifting towards forthcoming economic data that may elucidate the path of U.S. interest rates. Shares of Swiss food titan Nestle experience a decline following the unexpected exit of its CEO. In other developments, gold reaches a historic high in response to anticipations of declining U.S. interest rates and ongoing trade-related uncertainties.

U.S. stock futures declined on Tuesday, as traders resumed activity in a week abbreviated by a holiday, yet still marked by events that could have significant implications. As of 03:37 ET (07:37 GMT), the Dow futures contract experienced a decrease of 113 points, representing a decline of 0.3%. Meanwhile, S&P 500 futures saw a reduction of 15 points, or 0.2%, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell by 65 points, also reflecting a 0.3% drop. The primary indices on Wall Street were closed on Monday in recognition of the Labor Day holiday. At the conclusion of the previous trading session on Friday, equities experienced a downturn, influenced in part by reductions in companies associated with artificial intelligence. However, although August is typically a challenging month for equities, the S&P 500 experienced a gain of 1.9% during this period, elevating its year-to-date increase to approximately 10% and positioning the benchmark index close to its all-time highs. The recent increase marks another phase in the prolonged recovery of equities following the downturn in April, which was triggered by apprehensions regarding extensive U.S. tariffs.

Investors are refocusing their attention on the economic calendar, with this week highlighted by the release of the crucial monthly nonfarm payrolls report on Friday. Third party Advertisement. This should not be construed as an offer or recommendation from Investing.com. Refer to the disclosure Analysts indicate that a soft or tepid reading for August, following an unexpectedly weak return in July and significant downward revisions to the prior two months, could strengthen expectations that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates at its upcoming policy meeting on September 16-17. Economists anticipate that the U.S. will have added 74,000 jobs, compared to 73,000 in July. In the interim, markets will monitor additional indicators, notably a measure of U.S. manufacturing sector activity scheduled for release on Tuesday by the Institute for Supply Management. The August measure is projected to register at 49.0, an increase from July’s 48.0, yet it remains below the critical 50-point threshold indicating contraction.

Switzerland-listed shares in Nestle opened more than 3% lower on Tuesday following the unexpected announcement of the chief executive’s departure for the second time within a year. CEO Laurent Freixe was removed from his position on Monday following a board meeting that addressed the results of an inquiry into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a subordinate, which contravened the company’s code of conduct. Nestle announced that Freixe is being replaced, a seasoned insider who previously led its Nespresso coffee division, effective immediately. The recent shake-up could introduce new challenges for a company that has been contending with several years of subdued sales volumes and declining share prices, alongside the departure of former CEO Mark Schneider a year prior. Long-time Chair Paul Bulcke has indicated his intention to step down in 2026.

Gold prices reached a new record high on Tuesday, as the enduring safe-haven appeal of bullion was enhanced by expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts and uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs. Broader metal prices recorded significant increases, with silver climbing to a level not seen in nearly 14 years, while platinum stayed close to an 11-year peak. This development occurred as the dollar declined to a five-week low amid anticipations of decreasing U.S. borrowing costs. Non-yielding assets like metals generally gain from reduced interest rates, as this makes commodities more appealing compared to investments in government bonds. Spot gold experienced an increase of 0.8%, reaching a historic high of $3,508.54 per ounce, whereas Gold Futures for December achieved a maximum of $3,578.20 per ounce. Spot prices moderated some gains, trading 0.2% higher at $3,482.28 per ounce as of 03:27 ET. The recent uptick in gold prices can be attributed to increased uncertainty surrounding Trump’s trade tariffs, following an appeals court ruling last week deeming them illegal. The appeals court has determined that Trump’s tariffs may persist until mid-October; however, the president has expressed his discontent with this ruling and indicated his intention to contest it in the Supreme Court.

Oil prices increased, building on the gains from the prior session, as traders assessed the potential for new supply disruptions stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict in contrast to the rising output. As of 03:32 ET (07:32 GMT), Brent oil futures expiring in November increased by 0.9% to $68.74 per barrel, following a rise of more than 1% on Monday. West Texas Intermediate crude futures did not settle on Monday due to the U.S. holiday, trading 1.0% higher from their Friday close at $65.24 per barrel. Expectations for a resolution between Russia and Ukraine have waned following Trump’s recent suggestion that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin engage in direct discussions prior to contemplating a trilateral summit facilitated by Washington. The escalation of airstrikes has increased the likelihood of additional sanctions on Russia, which may result in supply disruptions and consequently drive prices upward. The United States and its allies are intensifying the enforcement of secondary sanctions on Russian oil; however, these measures have thus far exerted a limited influence on the flow of oil to Asia. Partly mitigating these risks was the uptick in production from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies in recent months, which has heightened concerns regarding a potential supply surplus. Market participants are currently anticipating the upcoming meeting of OPEC+ on September 7 for indications regarding its output strategy.