US Futures Rise as Trump Delay Tariffs, Wall Street Eyes Inflation
US futures markets exhibited moderate gains as President Donald Trump's administration initiated measures to impose reciprocal tariffs on international trading partners.
Market Movers:
* Dow (YM=F) futures advanced 0.1%.
* S&P 500 (ES=F) e-mini futures rose 0.1%.
* Nasdaq (NQ=F) futures climbed 0.1%.
Tariff Developments:
President Trump signed an executive order for reciprocal tariffs but postponed their implementation until April, aiming to facilitate one-on-one negotiations with potentially affected countries. This follows the imposition of new tariffs on steel and aluminum earlier in the week.
Inflation Concerns:
Investors remain preoccupied with rising inflation after two recent reports highlighted inflationary pressures. Key retail sales data scheduled for release on Friday morning is expected to provide insights into consumer spending amid persistent price increases.
After-Hours Market Highlights:
* Airbnb (ABNB) shares surged over 14% following better-than-expected Q4 results, exceeding analyst revenue and profit estimates.
* GameStop (GME) jumped nearly 10% after news of its potential investment in cryptocurrencies.
* Palo Alto Networks (PANW) slipped 5% after reporting mixed quarterly results, despite an earlier rally based on its full-year revenue forecast.
Sony's Performance:
In Tokyo, Sony Group (SONY) stocks surged by 11%, buoyed by an optimistic profit forecast attributed to strong gaming division performance, including robust PlayStation 5 unit sales.