Wall Street Steady as Trump Tariff Deadline Looms, Economic Data in Focus

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.