US equity futures were lower pre-bell Friday as traders looked ahead to a deluge of economic data, including the crucial monthly jobs report.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.9% lower, S&P 500 futures were down 1%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.1% lower.

Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 0.7% at $71.20 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.6% lower at $68.83 per barrel.

The July jobs report, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to show a 106,000 increase in nonfarm payrolls for the month, while the unemployment rate is expected to rise by 10 basis points to 4.2%, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, due for release at 9:45 am ET, is seen coming in at 49.5 for July.

The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index, slated for 10 am ET, is seen coming in at 49.5 for July versus June's 49.0. Construction spending is expected to be flat for June. Forecasters see the consumer sentiment index coming in unchanged from the mid-month flash at 61.8 for the final reading for July.