U.S. stock futures traded slightly higher early Monday as investors positioned for a week packed with major economic releases. Inflation readings and labor market data are among the reports likely to shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next moves.

The cautious gains suggest traders are looking for fresh signals on whether price pressures are cooling and how resilient the job market remains. Those data points could influence interest-rate expectations and, in turn, the broader direction of stocks, bonds, and the dollar.

Markets have been sensitive to every new sign of economic strength or weakness, with investors balancing hopes for a soft landing against concerns that inflation could stay sticky for longer than expected. That uncertainty has kept trading measured even when futures turn higher.

Attention now turns to the week’s report calendar, which could quickly reset sentiment if the numbers come in hotter or weaker than forecast. For now, the move in futures points to a market waiting for evidence before making a bigger bet.