U.S. stock futures pointed to a modestly higher start on Monday as investors waited for fresh signals from Federal Reserve officials on the future path of interest rates. The cautious tone reflected a market that remains sensitive to any shift in policy guidance.

Bond yields were little changed, suggesting traders were not making major bets ahead of the central bank speeches. With rate expectations still a key driver for equities, investors are watching closely for comments that could reshape the outlook for borrowing costs and corporate earnings.

The session opens with markets balancing optimism about steady economic conditions against uncertainty over how long rates may stay elevated. That tension has kept trading measured, with many participants choosing to wait for more clarity before making bigger moves.

For now, the focus is squarely on the Fed and whether policymakers signal patience, persistence, or a possible shift in tone. Those remarks could set the direction for stocks, bonds, and the broader market mood in the days ahead.