Stock Futures Steady as Markets Eye Trump Tariffs and Economic Slowdown

U.S. stock futures held steady Sunday evening after a volatile February, as investors weighed upcoming tariffs and economic data. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures each rose 0.1%, while Dow Jones futures remained flat.

The market remains cautious ahead of new tariffs set to take effect on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that President Donald Trump will finalize tariff levels on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. While an initial 25% tariff was proposed, Trump is expected to raise an additional 10% tariff on China. February’s market losses were largely driven by concerns over these tariffs and shifting expectations in the tech sector, especially around artificial intelligence. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 4% in February, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones down 1.5% and 1.6%, respectively.

Economic data suggests the U.S. economy started 2025 on weak footing. Despite the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 100 basis points last year, inflation remained persistent. The PCE price index rose 0.3% in January, marking a 2.5% annual increase, slightly below December’s 2.6%. Core inflation slowed to 2.6% year-over-year. However, consumer sentiment declined 0.2%, its first drop in two years, due to inflation and tariff concerns.

The Atlanta Federal Reserve now forecasts 1.5% annualized GDP growth for Q1 2025, down from 2.3% in Q4 2024. Analysts warn that Trump’s trade policies are impacting consumer confidence and spending. The combination of trade uncertainty, slowing growth, and persistent inflation is shaping a complex economic landscape for investors.