Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures rise as oil surges and Wall Street weighs jobs data signals

Market Overview - US stock futures showed a slight increase, with Dow Jones Industrial Average futures up 0.1%, S&P 500 futures up 0.2%, and Nasdaq 100 futures also up 0.2% as investors analyze the implications of recent jobs data on Federal Reserve policy and the US economy [1] - Oil prices surged over 2% following President Trump's order for a blockade of sanctioned tankers off Venezuela, with West Texas Intermediate futures trading above $56 per barrel and Brent futures exceeding $60 [2][11] Employment Data Insights - Wall Street is seeking clarity from the November jobs report, which revealed a higher-than-expected number of jobs added alongside the highest unemployment rate since 2021 [3] - Analysts caution that the jobs data may have a significant margin of error due to a prolonged government shutdown affecting data collection, leaving the odds of a January rate cut at 25% [4] Federal Reserve Commentary - Key Federal Reserve officials, including New York Fed's John Williams and Fed governor Chris Waller, are expected to provide insights on future monetary policy [5] - The market is anticipating the upcoming consumer inflation data, which is crucial for the Fed's rate decision next month [6] Technology Sector Focus - Investor interest in tech stocks remains strong, particularly with Micron Technology's quarterly results expected, as concerns about the AI trade continue to influence the sector [7] - Tesla's stock has positively impacted the tech sector, achieving its first record close in about a year due to growing enthusiasm over its robotaxi ambitions [8] Housing Market Update - Homebuilder Lennar's stock fell over 3% after reporting a decline in fourth-quarter profit, reflecting ongoing challenges in the housing market due to affordability issues [8]