US Stock Futures Hold Steady Amid Trade Tensions and Fed Minutes Watch
US stock futures were largely unchanged on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 remaining near record highs. Investors are balancing the potential impact of President Trump's latest tariff threats with the upcoming release of Federal Reserve meeting minutes.
Futures on the S&P 500 (ES=F) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (YM=F) traded flat, while contracts on the Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) advanced modestly by 0.1%.
Markets are in a wait-and-see mode, awaiting the full effects of President Trump's threatened tariffs. However, stocks have remained resilient, with the S&P 500 setting a new record high on Tuesday despite the trade uncertainties.
Trump's latest tariff threat on Tuesday targeted autos, chips, and pharmaceuticals, with a flat tariff of 25% imposed on foreign automakers starting April 2.
Meanwhile, investors are closely monitoring the release of minutes from the Fed's January meeting. The minutes will provide insights into policymakers' views on the potential inflationary impacts of tariffs and the implications for interest rate cuts. Fed officials have recently indicated that they intend to leave rates unchanged while assessing the economic situation.
As earnings season draws to a close, Etsy (ETSY) and Carvana (CVNA) are scheduled to report results on Wednesday.