Stock futures are little changed after Dow closes at another record high: Live updates

The Russell 2000 small-cap benchmark closed at its highest level since 2021, boosted by the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts. The index has rallied off the lower end of its rising price channel, driven by an improving growth outlook and better labor market conditions. However, weak back-to-school spending may signal caution for the holiday shopping season, with lower income consumers feeling the pressure of inflation. Retailers like Foot Locker, VF Corp, and Victoria’s Secret are expected to benefit as their margins recover. In after-hours trading, Discover Financial reported better-than-expected results, while CSX and Lucid Group fell short of forecasts. Stock futures opened flat on Wednesday.