Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. stock index futures held steady Tuesday evening as investor caution persisted ahead of President Donald Trump’s upcoming tariff decisions and key economic data releases. S&P 500 Futures edged up 0.1% to 5,831.25, Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.1% to 20,517.50, while Dow Jones Futures remained flat at 42,917.0.
The market digested a mixed session, with tech giants—dubbed the "Magnificent Seven"—supporting gains despite broader sector weakness. A weaker-than-expected consumer confidence reading for March raised concerns over slowing private spending, pressuring economically sensitive stocks.
Investor attention is fixed on April 2, when Trump is expected to announce a new round of tariffs, potentially targeting 15 major trading partners. While some reports hint at less aggressive measures, Trump continues to signal duties on automobiles, lumber, and semiconductors are imminent, fueling trade uncertainty.
Wall Street closed Tuesday with its third consecutive gain, driven by tech strength. Tesla surged over 3% despite declining European sales. Six of the seven major tech players gained, excluding NVIDIA. Bargain hunting in the sector provided additional momentum.
The S&P 500 rose 0.2% to 5,776.62, the Nasdaq climbed 0.5% to 18,271.86, and the Dow inched up to 42,587.50. GameStop also saw a post-market boost, jumping 8% after announcing plans to invest in Bitcoin using excess cash.
Market sentiment now hinges on upcoming U.S. economic indicators and Federal Reserve commentary. Key releases include February durable goods data on Wednesday, Q4 GDP revisions on Thursday, and the core PCE price index on Friday—closely watched by the Fed for inflation trends. Speeches from Fed officials, including Neel Kashkari and Tom Barkin, are also expected to guide interest rate outlooks.
