US stocks drifted near all-time highs on Tuesday as investors waited for fresh jobs data and Fedspeak to cement or dent growing hopes for future rate of interest cuts.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) hugged the flatline, coming off fresh records for the 2 gauges. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) ticked up about 0.1%.

Investors are bracing for a reading in a while JOLTS job openings in October, the primary in a wave of key data this week that culminates in Friday’s all-important monthly US payrolls report.

The watch is on for signs of a soft landing for the economy, which can shape views on the trail of rates — especially after Federal Reserve officials hinted that they are still open to a December cut.

Traders at the moment are pricing in a few 73% probability that the Fed lowers rates by 1 / 4 percentage point at its Dec. 18 meeting, compared with 62% a day ago, per the CME FedWatch tool.

Those odds could shift after appearances by Fed policymakers Austan Goolsbee and Adriana Kugler later Tuesday, which set the stage for Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s panel discussion on Wednesday.

On the company front, Tesla (TSLA) stock slipped in early trading after shipments of the EV maker’s China-built models fell again, putting sales targets unsure. As well as, CEO Elon Musk’s $56 billion pay deal was rejected again by a judge.

Meanwhile, shares in US Steel (X) fell about 8% on the heels of President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to “block” its $15 billion takeover by Japan’s Nippon Steel (5401.T, NPSCY). Trump said tax incentives and tariffs will enable the American steel giant to thrive by itself.

Political turmoil in France can also be attracting market attention, with the federal government getting ready to collapse as its faces a parliamentary vote. With Germany also set for a snap election after a government breakdown, Wall Street is keeping a detailed eye on the 2 pillars of the EU.