US STOCKS-Wall St set to open higher as investors gear up for data-packed week

By Johann M Cherian and Pranav Kashyap

Dec 15 (Reuters) - Wall Street's main indexes were poised to open higher on Monday, rebounding from a tech-driven rout last week, while investors braced for a barrage of economic data that could set the course for interest rates.

Traders also got more clarity on candidates for the Federal Reserve Chair post next year as U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a report, said he narrowed his search to former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh or National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett.

Expectations for a dovish Fed chair have boosted expectations for interest rate cuts next year, even as inflation stays above the 2% target and price pressures in other developed markets are boosting rate hike expectations.

JPMorgan's JPM.N top boss, Jamie Dimon, signaled support for former Fed Governor Warsh, according to a report, on the likelihood that Hassett could cut rates in the short term. Trump's decision on the nominee is expected early next year.

Tuesday will bring non-farm payrolls figures for November and October, the latter being delayed by the government shutdown earlier this quarter.

Reports on business activity, weekly jobless claims and inflation later this week will be closely watched by investors hunting for clues on the economy's strength and the Fed's next moves on policy. Rate calls from Europe, the UK and Japan will add to a crowded central-bank calendar.

Markets will also pore over comments from a string of Fed officials after the U.S. central bank cut interest rates last week. Fed Governor Stephen Miran and New York Fed President John Williams, both permanent voters seen as on the dovish side, are slated to speak later in the day.

"The labor market numbers will be watched especially closely. A softer labor market and tame inflation could encourage markets to bring forward expectations for the next rate cut," said Daniela Hathorn, senior market analyst, Capital.com.

At 8:36 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis YMcv1 were up 222 points, or 0.46%, S&P 500 E-minis EScv1 were up 32.75 points, or 0.48% and Nasdaq 100 E-minis NQcv1 were up 136.75 points, or 0.54%.

Futures tracking the rate-sensitive Russell 2000 smallcap index RTYcv1 rose 0.8%.

Wall Street's S&P 500 .SPX and the Nasdaq .IXIC logged their steepest daily declines in more than three weeks on Friday as worries of sticky inflation and debt-fueled artificial intelligence investments pulled the indexes further away from record highs.

Those worries have weighed on U.S. equities several times over the past three months, helping Europe's STOXX 600 .STOXX outperform the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 on a quarterly basis.

In some relief, a Reuters report last week said Nvidia NVDA.O is considering increasing production capacity for its powerful H200 AI chips. The company's shares were up 1% in premarket trading after last week's 4% slide.

ServiceNow NOW.N slid 5.8% after a report said the cybersecurity company is in advanced talks to buy startup Armis.

IRobot IRBT.O sank 70% as the Roomba vacuum-cleaner maker filed for bankruptcy protection.

Broader uncertainty pushed investors to precious metals, aiding around 2% gains in U.S.-listed miners like Newmont NEM.N and Barrick Mining B.N.

Weed stocks Cronos CRON.O and Tilray Brands TLRY.O gained close to 4% each on reports that the U.S. could soon ease restrictions on marijuana.

Investors also monitored developments around plans to end Russia's war in Ukraine.