U.S. stock index futures slipped on Friday as investors awaited a key inflation report that could influence the Federal Reserve's decisions on interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, Chinese stocks surged following significant stimulus measures from Beijing aimed at boosting economic growth, drawing interest from prominent Wall Street investors. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average have recently hit record highs, driven by optimism around artificial intelligence and strong corporate earnings, notably from Nvidia and Micron. However, there is ongoing volatility as investors remain cautious about upcoming economic data and the potential impact of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. Despite recent gains, concerns over consumer sentiment and the labor market continue to linger.