Futures extend losses after February inflation data

(Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures moved lower on Friday as investors assessed an in-line inflation report to gauge the trajectory of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy easing this year.

The Commerce Department’s report showed the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price index rose 2.5% in February on an annual basis, compared with expectations of a 2.5% increase according to economists polled by Reuters. On a monthly basis, the index rose 0.3%, versus estimates of a 0.3% climb.

Excluding volatile items such as food and energy, the index rose 2.8% on an annual basis in the previous month, compared with forecasts of a 2.7% increase.

At 8:31 a.m. ET, U.S. S&P 500 E-minis were down 15.75 points, or 0.28%, Nasdaq 100 E-minis were down 80.5 points, or 0.4%, and Dow E-minis were down 81 points, or 0.19%.

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