U.S. stock futures showed modest gains on Friday morning as investors navigated ongoing tariff uncertainty and anticipated a key inflation report.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 44 points, or 0.10%. Meanwhile, S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures remained largely unchanged.
In after-hours trading, shares of Lululemon dropped by 10% after the company projected a weaker-than-expected outlook for the first quarter of 2025.
Wall Street Faces Volatility After Recent Losses
Thursday marked a challenging day for Wall Street’s major indices. The Dow fell by about 155 points, or 0.4%, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.5%.
These losses came in the wake of President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on all vehicles not made in the United States. This move added to market volatility, which investors have been grappling with amid growing concerns over consumer sentiment and the risk of an economic slowdown.
Investors are now looking for clarity, with many hoping that the week of April 2 will provide some much-needed answers.
“I don’t expect market volatility to ease until we have more clarity on policy,” said Lauren Goodwin, Chief Market Strategist at New York Life Investments, on CNBC. “I anticipate that this volatility will continue for some time.”
Key Inflation Data Set to Impact Market Outlook
On the economic front, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index for February will be released on Friday. This inflation measure could help investors determine whether inflation is still a concern, especially after the Federal Reserve recently raised its inflation forecast.
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expect the PCE price index to rise 0.3% in February, with a year-over-year increase of 2.5%.
Wall Street on Track for Weekly Gains
As of Thursday’s close, Wall Street is set to finish the week with gains. The Dow is on track for a 0.8% increase, while the S&P 500 has risen by 0.5%. The Nasdaq Composite, meanwhile, is poised for a 0.1% gain.
Related topics:
