Equity Index futures rose as software stocks led market gains.

Equity Index futures moved higher as software stocks and semiconductor names led a recovery in sentiment. The Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 both approached gains of 1% at session highs following data showing an uptick in the labor market. Private payrolls increased by 13,000 in early February, while the conference board reported a rise in the consumer confidence index to 91.2. Market participants monitored shifting options activity, noting a rise in call volume and a normalization of the put skew seen earlier in the week. Implied volatility for near-term equity index options remained a focal point alongside steadying prices in digital asset markets.