Stocks Slump Before the Open as Inflation and Interest Rate Worries Return

September S&P 500 futures (ESU23) are down -0.58%, and September Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQU23) are down -0.88% this morning after three major U.S. benchmark indices ended the regular session lower as an unexpected rise in a key U.S. services activity gauge bolstered speculation that the Federal Reserve would have to keep interest rates higher for longer.