Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures rise as oil climbs and Wall Street weighs jobs data signals

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S stock futures rose on Wednesday, poised to backtrack on a string of recent slumps as oil surged and investors continued to debate what the latest jobs data means for Federal Reserve policy and the US economy.

Contracts on the S&P 500 (ES=F) and on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) moved up 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) added 0.3%, after US stocks finished mixed in Tuesday's session. 

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Also in focus, oil jumped about 2% after President Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned tankers off Venezuela and with the US said to be readying fresh sanctions on Russia if it rebuffs a Ukraine peace plan. West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) futures climbed to above $56 a barrel, rebounding from the lowest level in almost five years, while Brent (BZ=F) traded just below $60.

After weeks in a data vacuum, Wall Street is trying to find a clear signal in a noisy November jobs report to pinpoint a path for interest rates next year. The data out Tuesday delivered a double surprise: a bigger number of jobs added last month than expected, alongside the highest unemployment rate since 2021. Wall Street is also waiting for the other data shoe to drop: Thursday's update on consumer inflation in November.

Two key Fed members on Wednesday could offer clues on the path ahead, as the New York Fed's John Williams and Fed governor Chris Waller are set to speak at separate appearances. Waller is also reportedly interviewing with Trump on Wednesday as the president moves closer to choosing his replacement for Chair Jerome Powell.

At the same time, investors' appetite for tech stocks remains in focus as questions about the AI trade persist. Micron Technology's (MU) quarterly results are due after the bell on Wednesday and are in higher focus as those worries ripple through the sector, even as the US semiconductor maker gets a boost from the memory chip squeeze.

Tesla (TSLA) has boosted the mood for techs in recent sessions. On Tuesday, it notched its first record close in about a year, amid growing investor enthusiasm over its robotaxi ambitions.

Elsewhere in corporates, Netflix (NFLX) stock rose after Warner Bros. Discovery's (WBD) board called on shareholders to reject a rival bid from Paramount Skydance (PSKY), questioning funding guarantees.

IWM sees MACD Histogram just turned negative

IWM saw its Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) turn negative on December 17, 2025. This is a bearish signal that suggests the stock could decline going forward. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 47 instances where the indicator turned negative. In of the 47 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a downward move at .

Technical Analysis (Indicators)

Bearish Trend Analysis

The 10-day RSI Indicator for IWM moved out of overbought territory on December 12, 2025. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 35 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In of the 35 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at .

The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on December 24, 2025. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on IWM as a result. In of 97 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .

Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where IWM declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .

Bullish Trend Analysis

The Stochastic Oscillator is in the oversold zone. Keep an eye out for a move up in the foreseeable future.

IWM moved above its 50-day moving average on November 25, 2025 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.

The 10-day moving average for IWM crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on December 04, 2025. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In of 17 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where IWM advanced for three days, in of 314 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .

The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 269 cases where IWM Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .