US futures slipped Monday morning as investors retreated from risk assets. Lingering inflation concerns kept traders cautious, even as broader market sentiment turned muted ahead of the open. The decline reflected growing unease that price pressures haven't eased as much as hoped, putting downward pressure on index futures before the bell.

Oil prices gave back some gains after surging overnight, offering a small reprieve for energy-sensitive names. Yet the session's tone was shaped more by inflation anxiety than any single market move. Traders weighed whether recent economic data pointed to sticky price growth rather than a meaningful cooldown in consumer costs.

The cautious mood signals investors remain on edge heading into the week. Without a clearer trajectory from the Fed, inflation stays front and center, dictating how traders position across stocks, bonds, and commodities alike.