New York — Stock futures stayed relatively stable Thursday evening following a disappointing day for U.S. markets as traders brace for an important consumer inflation report scheduled for release Friday morning. Investors are keenly watching economic indicators that may signal trends in inflation and consumer spending.

Futures for the S&P 500 rose slightly by 0.02%, while Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.04%. The futures associated with the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained largely unchanged as the market digested the previous day’s downturn.

In after-hours trading, semiconductor leader Applied Materials saw shares jump 13%, propelled by robust earnings and an optimistic outlook. Similarly, Airbnb shares increased by about 4% as market enthusiasm grew following positive guidance from the home rental giant. However, Pinterest faced a stark contrast with a 17% drop after reporting fourth-quarter results that fell short of expectations and issued a bleak forecast.

Major U.S. stock indices experienced significant declines on Thursday, reflecting growing concerns over the impacts of artificial intelligence disruptions, particularly in real estate, trucking, and software sectors. The S&P 500 fell nearly 1.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite lost approximately 2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped close to 670 points, equivalent to a 1.3% decline for the day.

Tech giants known as the “Magnificent Seven” all finished in the red, with Cisco Systems leading the losses. The company experienced a 12% decline following disappointing guidance, contributing to the broader market downturn. Apple also struggled, posting a 5% loss during the regular trading session and marking its most significant single-day decline since April of the previous year.

Experts have mixed views on the market’s evolution amidst AI advancements. Brian Levitt, a market strategist at Invesco, commented on recent trends, suggesting that although the market is sifting through potential winners and losers in the AI space, it does not indicate an overall bubble. He noted that both the Dow and the S&P 500 are performing relatively well, despite pockets of volatility.

Looking ahead, market participants eagerly anticipate the release of January’s consumer price index report. Economists expect an annual increase of 2.5%, with a month-over-month rise of 0.3% predicted. These figures could provide insights into inflation trends and influence monetary policies going forward.

As the week nears its end, the major indices are on track for weekly losses. The S&P 500 and Dow are both down more than 1%, while the Nasdaq is poised for a 1.9% decline. These trends indicate growing uncertainty as investors navigate through economic indicators and shifting market sentiments.