Futures Soar: Tech Earnings Boost Spirits, Fed Rate Cut Hopes Dim
U.S. stock index futures kicked off Monday on a high note, riding the wave of last week’s upbeat tech earnings and gearing up for the latest Federal Reserve policy pow-wow.
At 06:35 ET (10:35 GMT), Dow Jones Futures nudged up by 52 points, or 0.1%, S&P 500 Futures climbed 8 points, or 0.2%, and Nasdaq 100 Futures surged 43 points, or 0.2%.
Tech titans Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) knocked it out of the park with first-quarter earnings, revving up optimism about AI demand and keeping tech stocks buoyant. The NASDAQ Composite led the pack on Friday, closing up 2%, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average also joined the party.
The earnings show marches on this week, with more Wall Street bigwigs poised to unveil their numbers.
After a mellow Monday, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD), and Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) take the spotlight on Tuesday.
All Eyes on the Fed as Rate Cut Hopes Fade With the Federal Reserve’s policy pow-wow in the limelight, this week’s vibe is expected to be chill.
The Fed’s likely to hold rates steady in May, with growing speculation that any rate-cut fireworks won’t ignite until September or later. Why the delay? Blame it on stubborn inflation and the sturdy U.S. consumer.
Last Friday’s PCE price index came in hotter than expected for March, stoking fears that the Fed might drag its feet on rate cuts, keeping rates up in the stratosphere for a while longer.
Ford’s BlueCruise Tech Under NHTSA Scrutiny After Fatal Collisions
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a preliminary inquiry into Ford Motor’s BlueCruise hands-free driving feature following two incidents involving Mustang Mach-E vehicles colliding with stationary objects.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is delving into BlueCruise, which offers partial driving automation while requiring active supervision from the driver.
Both accidents occurred in low-light conditions, resulting in fatalities, NHTSA reports. Initial findings show BlueCruise was engaged in both vehicles before the collisions.
BlueCruise operates on specific roads and employs a camera-based driver monitoring system to assess driver alertness.
The investigation aims to assess the system’s performance in dynamic driving situations and driver monitoring, according to the NHTSA.
Investing on a Monday is like diving into the stock market with a fresh cup of coffee in hand—it’s the perfect blend of ambition and caffeine-fueled optimism. As the week kicks off, savvy investors seize the opportunity to sprinkle their portfolios with a dash of Monday magic, turning the beginning of the week into a strategic springboard for financial success. So, grab your mug, buckle up, and let’s turn those Monday blues into greenbacks!