Wall Street Futures Drop as China Deflation and U.S. Slowdown Weigh on Markets

Wall Street futures slumped early Monday as growing deflationary pressures in China and concerns over a slowing U.S. economy rattled investors. S&P 500 e-mini futures fell 0.7%, while Nasdaq futures dropped 0.9%. The safe-haven yen strengthened 0.4% to 147.395 per U.S. dollar.

Bitcoin tumbled 7.2% from Friday, hitting a monthly low of $80,085.42, as risk-off sentiment spread across global markets.

Fresh economic data from China showed consumer prices in February declined at the sharpest rate in 13 months, while producer price deflation extended for a 30th consecutive month. In the U.S., Friday’s labor report indicated slower job growth, marking the first payroll data reflecting President Donald Trump’s economic policies.

Trump, in a Fox News interview, avoided commenting on whether his tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China could trigger a U.S. recession. His stance on economic policy is causing further market uncertainty, analysts say. Unlike his first term, where signs of a slowdown led to policy shifts, Trump now appears focused on structural changes regardless of short-term growth risks.

"Markets are on edge due to multiple headwinds," said Kyle Rodda, senior financial analyst at Capital.com. "Trump’s aggressive economic stance is a major factor unsettling sentiment."

With economic risks mounting and investors bracing for volatility, global markets remain on high alert.