U.S. stock futures are rising in pre-market trading ahead of the year's final full trading week, signaling investor optimism. U.S. stock futures are trending higher in pre-market trading, signaling investor optimism ahead of the year’s final full week of trading. This positive movement in equity index futures suggests a continuation of the year-end rally, as market participants position themselves ahead of the holiday season and the impending New Year. The uptick reflects a broader sentiment that the Federal Reserve's recent policy signals and resilient economic data may combine to support market valuations entering the final stretch, despite lingering concerns over inflation trends. This pre-market strength contrasts with the often-thinner, more volatile trading typical of late December. The rise in futures contracts points to a risk-on sentiment among institutional investors, who are willing to carry positions into the New Year. Maintaining this upward momentum is the critical near-term deliverable for the bullish market case. This matters beca...