US Stock Futures Inch Higher Ahead of Economic Data Release
Major US stock indexes closed lower on Thursday after retail giant Walmart projected weak earnings, citing tariff uncertainty. However, futures contracts pointed to a slight rebound on Friday.
* S&P 500 (ES=F) futures rose 0.01%.
* Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) futures gained 0.07%.
* Dow futures (YM=F) edged up 0.05%.
Despite the gains in futures, analysts remain cautious as the impact of President Trump's tariffs on retailers and consumers remains unclear.
On the economic data front, Friday brings the release of January's existing home sales figures, offering insights into the housing market. Additionally, the University of Michigan will release its consumer sentiment index.
In individual company news, energy drink maker Celsius Holdings (CELH) soared over 35% in after-hours trading after announcing the acquisition of Alani Nutrition for $1.8 billion. Conversely, Dropbox (DBX) shares lost over 6% in extended trading due to slower customer growth.
Meta (META) continues to make headlines, with reports indicating that the tech giant will cut equity awards for most employees by around 10% for 2025. This move comes amid a record year of gains for the company.