What are Dow futures? Contracts representing the expected future price of the Dow Jones index. Today’s futures are slightly negative, off 25 points, with crude price volatility weighed in as traders monitor supply chain risks. That could make Wall Street more twitchy when investors are already nervous about the state of the economy and what that means for the potential for cuts to rates. The Department of Labor has already said that the Bureau of Labor Statistics will completely cease operations if there’s a lapse. “Retail investors keep adding. Foreign investors keep adding. We’re not alone; several other countries are seeing new highs as well. The global index is also at a record level, as is the global index ex-USA. The bias to equity versus debt has never been higher. Corporate share buybacks have never been higher,” he added. What are Dow futures? These instruments track expected movement in the Dow before markets open. Currently, Dow futures are down 42 points on weaker manufacturing data, raising concerns about cyclicals. Analysts say watch the 35,000 level as a near-term support zone.