Stock futures rose on Thursday evening as investors attempted to look beyond concerns over U.S. trade policies, which have unsettled the market this week. Traders also turned their attention to a crucial payroll report set for release on Friday morning.
Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 96 points, or 0.2%. S&P 500 futures gained nearly 0.4%, while Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.5%.
Volatile Session Follows Heavy Losses
The gains came after a turbulent trading session on Thursday, during which major stock indices saw another round of selling. Investor sentiment remained shaky despite new concessions on President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 400 points, while the Nasdaq Composite fell into correction territory, closing over 10% below its recent high.
Stock markets have experienced sharp swings due to ongoing concerns about Trump’s trade policies and their potential impact on U.S. economic growth. On Thursday, Trump announced that certain goods from Canada and Mexico covered under the USMCA trade agreement would be exempt from new tariffs until April 2. However, this move failed to trigger a significant rebound, unlike the recovery seen on Wednesday.
Uncertainty Over Tariff Impact Continues
“Markets are struggling to price in the impact of tariffs, which is extremely difficult when the rules keep changing,” said Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group.
The latest market slump has put the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq on track for their worst weekly performance since September 2024. So far this week:
S&P 500 is down 3.6%
Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen 2.9%
Nasdaq Composite is the worst performer, dropping 4.1%
Jobs Report Set to Influence Markets
Investors are now focused on February’s nonfarm payrolls report, which is expected to provide fresh insights into the economy’s health. According to economists polled by Dow Jones, the U.S. economy is projected to have added 170,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate remaining steady at 4%.
This jobs report is anticipated to be a key driver of market sentiment, as traders assess whether the labor market remains strong amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
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