Market Retreat: S&P 500 and Dow Slip as Inflation Concerns Dampen Rate Cut Hopes

Premarket Activity and FuturesU.S. stock futures signaled a cautious start to the week on Monday, March 23rd, 2026, as investors grappled with persistent inflation data and a "higher-for-longer" interest rate narrative from the Federal Reserve. Early morning trading saw futures for the major indexes trending lower, reflecting a continuation of the volatility observed late last week. S&P 500 (SPY) futures were down approximately 0.4%, while Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) futures slipped 0.5%, led by a retreat in high-grow ...