U.S. stock futures pointed higher on Monday as investors reviewed the latest remarks from Federal Reserve officials and looked ahead to possible interest-rate cuts later this year. The move suggested traders were still trying to gauge how soon policymakers may ease borrowing costs after a period of restrictive policy.

Markets have been sensitive to every signal from the Fed, with recent comments leaving investors to balance hopes for lower rates against the possibility that inflation remains sticky. That tension has helped drive day-to-day swings across equities, bonds and currency markets.

The latest futures action comes as Wall Street continues to watch economic data for clues about the central bank’s next steps. Any shift in the rate outlook could influence stock valuations, especially for interest-rate-sensitive sectors such as technology and housing.

While futures do not guarantee how the session will open, the higher tone pointed to cautious optimism at the start of the week. Traders appeared ready to keep a close eye on both Fed messaging and incoming data for confirmation of the rate path ahead.