New York, New York — Stock futures tied to the S&P 500 dipped Tuesday evening as traders braced for a wave of crucial economic data to conclude an eventful month in the markets. S&P 500 futures decreased by 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.3%. In contrast, futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up by 11 points, or 0.03%.
The major indexes finished higher on Tuesday, buoyed by comments from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who indicated during a CNBC interview that the White House was close to announcing a significant trade agreement, although he did not specify which country this would involve. Later in the day, President Donald Trump remarked that negotiations over tariffs with India were “progressing well,” suggesting that an agreement could be on the horizon.
In the previous trading session, the Dow rose by 300 points, while the S&P 500 gained 0.58%, marking the sixth consecutive winning day for both indexes. This streak represents the longest since July for the Dow and since November for the S&P 500. The tech-centric Nasdaq Composite also posted a gain of 0.55%.
April has proven to be a turbulent month for investors. Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement on April 2 triggered a series of volatile trading sessions; however, the major indexes have gradually narrowed their losses. Notably, the S&P 500 briefly entered bear territory on April 7 but has since rebounded and is down just 0.9% for the month. The Dow is projected to lose about 3.5% in April, while the Nasdaq is trending approximately 0.9% higher.
“U.S. equities are gaining momentum as the end of April approaches, aiming for a balanced outcome after the recent turbulence caused by the tariff announcements,” said Jeff Buchbinder, chief equity strategist at LPL Financial. His remarks underscore the resilience of the markets amid ongoing uncertainties.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remarked on Tuesday that individual investors have remained steadfast during recent volatility, while institutional investors have experienced heightened anxiety. These individual participants have been active buyers during this month’s market sell-off.
Investors are anticipating a series of economic reports set for release on Wednesday, including the personal consumption expenditures price index for March and an initial reading of the first-quarter gross domestic product. These reports are particularly timely, given signs of consumer weakness; the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell to 86 in April, a drop of 7.9 points from the previous month and marking the lowest level in nearly five years.
Attention will also be focused on key earnings announcements from major players like Meta Platforms and Microsoft, scheduled for later in the day. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, market watchers will scrutinize these developments to gauge their potential impact on investor sentiment and economic stability.