US Futures Edge Higher Despite Moody’s Downgrade and Trump Tax Bill Debate

U.S. stock index futures inched higher on Monday evening, shrugging off a recent credit rating downgrade by Moody’s as investor focus shifted to a potential vote on President Donald Trump’s proposed tax reform bill. The modest gains came after a tepid but positive close on Wall Street, with optimism still buoyed by easing U.S.-China trade tensions.

S&P 500 Futures rose 0.1% to 5,990.0, Nasdaq 100 Futures increased 0.1% to 21,553.0, and Dow Jones Futures climbed 0.2% to 42,947.0 as of 23:41 GMT. The S&P 500 recorded its sixth consecutive daily gain, rising 0.1% to 5,963.59, while the Dow Jones added 0.3% to 42,791.94. The NASDAQ Composite remained flat at 19,215.46.

Earlier losses triggered by Moody’s downgrade—citing high U.S. debt levels—were short-lived, as markets rebounded on expectations that recent sell-offs had been overdone. The broader sentiment remained upbeat after last week’s de-escalation in trade tariffs between the U.S. and China, even as Beijing criticized new U.S. chip export restrictions.

Tech stocks, which led gains in the prior week, showed weakness. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) traded flat despite CEO Jensen Huang announcing new AI technologies, signaling cautious investor sentiment in the sector.

Attention now turns to a major tax bill backed by Trump, which cleared a House committee on Sunday. The bill proposes broad income tax cuts and increased spending on defense and immigration. While supporters hail it as pro-growth, critics warn it could deepen the already record-high U.S. fiscal deficit. Opposition from moderate and centrist Republicans may complicate its path in Congress.

Despite concerns over fiscal policy, U.S. markets remain supported by resilient investor sentiment and hopes for sustained economic growth.