U.S. stock futures are signaling a slightly positive start for Friday’s session, suggesting equities may attempt a rebound after a mixed day of trading on Thursday.
With no major economic reports scheduled for release today, trading volume could remain somewhat light, as investors weigh recent policy developments and corporate moves.
On Thursday, markets opened strong but failed to maintain early gains. After rising initially, the major indexes lost steam and drifted lower, closing the session with mixed results.
The Nasdaq Composite continued its upward trend, adding 73.27 points, or 0.4%, to close at 21,242.70. However, the S&P 500 slipped by 5.06 points, or 0.1%, to 6,340.00, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 224.48 points, or 0.5%, finishing the day at 43,968.64.
Optimism was briefly fueled by an announcement from former President Donald Trump, who unveiled a 100% tariff on imported semiconductors and chips, exempting firms that manufacture or plan to manufacture in the U.S.
“The good news for companies like Apple is if you’re building in the United States or have committed to build, without question, committed to build in the United States, there will be no charge,” Trump stated.
“So in other words, we’ll be putting a tariff on of approximately 100 percent on chips and semiconductors,” he continued. “But if you’re building in the United States of America, there’s no charge.”
The remarks were made alongside Apple CEO Tim Cook, who confirmed the tech giant’s commitment to invest an additional $100 billion in its U.S. operations. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares rallied 3.2% on Thursday, extending their strong performance from the prior session.
Despite this bullish momentum, investor sentiment cooled later in the day amid concerns over the potential economic fallout from newly implemented tariffs on dozens of nations.
A notable drag on the markets came from Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), whose shares fell 3.0% after Trump called for the immediate resignation of CEO Lip-Bu Tan, describing him as “highly conflicted.”
Economic data released Thursday added to the mixed tone. The Labor Department reported that jobless claims rose to 226,000 last week, exceeding economist forecasts of 221,000. The prior week’s figure was revised up to 219,000.
In more positive news, a separate report from the department showed a strong rebound in labor productivity during the second quarter, signaling improving efficiency among U.S. workers.
Sector performances were varied. Pharmaceutical stocks faced heavy selling pressure, pulling the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index down 2.1% to its lowest close in nearly three months. Shares of Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) tumbled 14.1% despite the company beating second-quarter expectations and raising its guidance for the full year. Investor disappointment centered on results from a late-stage obesity drug trial.
Oil services also retreated, hurt by falling crude prices. The Philadelphia Oil Service Index fell 1.4%. Software and transport stocks weakened, while gains were seen in semiconductors, utility companies, and hardware manufacturers.
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
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