US Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell as Traders Monitor Oil Prices, Await September Jobs Report

07:48 AM EDT, 10/02/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were edging higher pre-bell Friday as traders observed oil prices declining and awaited the jobs report for September. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.6% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.5%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.7% higher. The US is urging European countries to release diesel supplies with haste, according to a post on X by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. "American farmers, truckers, and businesses should not be left carrying the burden of a global diesel shortage," Bessent said. President Donald Trump is still considering banning diesel exports as a way to manage high energy prices, multiple media outlets reported. Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 2.5% at $99.79 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 3.9% lower at $89.27 per barrel. The unemployment rate for September, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to remain unchanged at 4.1%, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg. August factory orders, due at 10 am ET, are expected to have gained 0.2%, compared with an increase of 0.9% previously. Federal Reserve Dallas President Lorie Logan is slated to speak on Friday.