Spy 500 futures futures tracking the SPY 500 index are

Futures tracking the SPY 500 index are advancing steadily, with positive sentiment spilling over from robust Asian market closes. Investors are watchful for volume confirmation before chasing the rally. Editor’s Note : The future prices of benchmark tracking ETFs were updated in the story . Sectors with the biggest losses on Thursday included energy, consumer discretionary, and real estate, with most on the S&P 500 closing in the red. However, materials and information technology stocks bucked the trend, helping U.S. stocks settle higher as the S&P 500 hit a new record, with investors shrugging off government shutdown concerns. SPY 500 futures edged higher in pre-market trading today, with contracts adding 0.35% as investors digest stronger-than-expected U.S. retail sales data. Analysts note that momentum could carry through if bond yields ease and Fed commentary maintains a dovish tilt.