Following a positive close on Wall Street Thursday, U.S. stock futures are showing an upward trend. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached new record highs, buoyed by strong retail sales figures and a continued decline in jobless claims. The technology sector was particularly robust, with investor confidence bolstered by Taiwan Semiconductor's optimistic forecast, suggesting increased investments in AI-related sectors.
Regarding monetary policy, San Francisco Federal Reserve President Mary Daly indicated that it is plausible to anticipate two rate cuts this year, advising against unnecessary delays. In contrast, Fed Governor Adriana Kugler advocated for maintaining current rates for the foreseeable future, attributing concerns to rising inflation influenced by tariffs. In this regard, President Trump has issued communications to over 20 trading partners, proposing new baseline tariffs ranging from 20% to 40%.
In corporate developments, United Airlines projected that the latter half of 2025 seems more predictable, which could enable the company to surpass its earnings projections. Concurrently, Chevron is approaching a production peak in the largest U.S. oil field, anticipated to generate an influx of billions in cash flow over the coming years.
