Index futures trading point to a slightly positive start on Thursday, with some key Main Street data likely directing the market. Sentiment could remain guarded as traders look ahead to the 3-day Jackson Hole Symposium that kickstarts on Thursday, with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell delivering his address on Friday. Earnings news has been mixed. With traders baking in a September rate cut, the near-term catalyst is likely to beNvidia, Inc.'s(NASDAQ:NVDA) earnings due next week.

"Move over, Fed, it's all about Nvidia's earnings on August 28th. The waiting is the hardest part," saidGina...