US stock futures inched higher Friday as investors awaited the August jobs report, seen as pivotal in cementing expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut this month. On Thursday, the S&P 500 climbed 0.83% to a fresh record close, while the Dow added 0.77% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.98%. Gains followed data showing private payrolls rose just 54K in August, far short of forecasts, while jobless claims hit their highest since June, pointing to further labor market cooling. That spurred traders to price in over a 99% chance the Fed will deliver a 25 basis point cut on September 17. In corporate updates, Broadcom surged 4% in after-hours trading on stronger-than-expected Q3 earnings and upbeat guidance. The firm also revealed $10 billion in new orders from a client for custom artificial intelligence chips.