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U.S. stock index futures traded cautiously higher on Friday, with investors balancing fresh trade tariff announcements from President Donald Trump against anticipation for key inflation data that could guide the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves.
Futures Hold Ground Ahead of PCE Report
At 05:25 ET (09:25 GMT), Dow Jones Futures gained 95 points (0.2%), S&P 500 Futures added 5 points (0.1%), while Nasdaq 100 Futures slipped 26 points (0.1%). The stabilisation came after Wall Street’s three-session losing streak, pressured by strong U.S. economic data — including lower jobless claims and an upward GDP revision — that tempered expectations for aggressive Fed easing.
Markets remain on edge over the risk of a U.S. government shutdown, with lawmakers struggling to pass even a stopgap funding bill.
Fed Path in Spotlight as PCE Inflation Looms
Investors are now turning to the release of August’s personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. Economists expect core PCE to rise 0.2% month-on-month and remain at 2.9% year-on-year, in line with July.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s cautious tone earlier this week, highlighting sticky inflation and a cooling labour market, has already curbed optimism for multiple cuts. ING analysts warned that “upside surprises in GDP and jobless claims make it difficult for markets to agree on upcoming Fed cuts. A benign PCE reading won’t change that.”
Trump’s Tariffs Hit Pharma and Industrials
Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs late Thursday, including:
- 100% on branded and patented pharmaceuticals (with exemptions for firms manufacturing in the U.S.)
- 25% on heavy trucks
- 50% on kitchen and bathroom fittings
- 30% on upholstered furniture
Pharma stocks such as Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Eli Lilly are expected to be in focus, with sector-wide pressure likely.
Tech Sector Eyes Semiconductor Policy Risks
The tech sector may also face headwinds after the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House is considering requiring U.S. tech firms to match domestic semiconductor output with imports or face tariffs. The potential policy could reshape supply chains, raising costs and impacting Asian chipmakers heavily reliant on U.S. demand.
