U.S. stock index futures fell on Sept. 1 as rising bond yields and oil prices weighed on sentiment at the start of a historically weak month for equities. A sharp increase in expectations for interest-rate hikes, renewed clashes in the Middle East and a Treasury selloff pushed yields to their highest levels in months, reducing the relative appeal of stocks. The S&P 500 has declined an average 0.7% in September since 1926, making it the weakest month for equities and the only month with a negative average return, according to Fisher Investments, citing Finaeon data. Strategists said the Federal Reserve’s focus remains inflation, with labor-market data likely to influence expectations for future policy changes. At 6:33 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were down 0.4%, S&P 500 E-minis were down 0.47% and Nasdaq 100 E-minis were down 0.9%. Chip stocks fell before the open, while Robinhood gained after a Morgan Stanley upgrade, Hut 8 rose on a reported cloud-related data-center deal, and energy shares advanced after Brent crude gained 1.67%.