Now that the twin inflation reports are in the rearview mirror, U.S. stocks are hanging onto the slender optimism as traders look ahead to the Federal Reserve's rate-setting meeting. The numbers did little to belie expectations of a cut at next week's meeting, although they did pour cold water on a bigger cut. The major index futures are little changed in early trading. Tidings from the tech sector has been mixed, potentially triggering caution amid the week's runup.

A consumer sentiment report with a few forward inflation expectations readings could be on traders' radar. Some...