US stock futures showed modest gains as President Donald Trump took steps to impose reciprocal tariffs on trading partners, following through on a key promise.
Futures for the Dow (YM=F) rose by 0.1%, while S&P 500 (ES=F) e-mini futures also climbed 0.1%. Nasdaq (NQ=F) futures gained 0.1%.
Trump’s Tariff Announcement
On Thursday, Trump signed his plan to introduce reciprocal tariffs, but delayed their implementation until April. This delay allows his administration to engage in one-on-one negotiations with the countries affected by the new tariffs. This move follows his earlier decision to impose new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Inflation Concerns and Retail Sales Data
Inflation continues to be a major concern for Wall Street, especially after two concerning inflation reports this week. Investors are looking ahead to new retail sales data, set to be released on Friday, to gauge how consumers are managing persistent price pressures.
After-Hours Market Moves
Several companies saw notable after-hours movements on Thursday:
Airbnb (ABNB) saw a sharp increase in stock price after exceeding analysts’ expectations.
Roku also surged after reporting strong earnings, continuing its momentum in after-hours trading.
GameStop (GME) saw a rise after announcing plans to explore cryptocurrency investments, including bitcoin.
Upcoming Earnings Reports
On Friday, Moderna (MRNA) is expected to release its earnings report, drawing attention from investors and analysts alike.
GameStop’s Cryptocurrency Venture
GameStop shares surged nearly 10% in after-hours trading following news that the company is considering a move into cryptocurrency investments, including bitcoin (BTC-USD). The company has already been closely associated with the cryptocurrency market, particularly during its meme-stock surge, which saw its stock reach all-time highs.
Palo Alto Networks’ Earnings Reaction
On the other hand, Palo Alto Networks (PANW) saw a decline of 5% in after-hours trading. Despite a strong full-year revenue forecast signaling increased demand for its cybersecurity services, the company missed earnings expectations in its mixed quarterly results. The initial surge in its stock during market hours was reversed after the earnings report.
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