U.S. stock futures were largely unchanged Thursday evening following a Wall Street rally driven by a new trade deal framework with the UK, while investors looked ahead for further agreements, including one with China.
S&P 500 Futures inched 0.1% lower to 5,677.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures were largely muted at 20,135.75 points by 20:12 ET (00:12 GMT). Dow Jones Futures fell 0.2% to 41,397.0 points.
Wall St gains on US-UK trade deal framework; China agreement eyed
In the regular trading session on Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.6% higher, the S&P 500 index also climbed 0.6%, while the NASDAQ Composite jumped 1.1%
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a framework for a trade deal with the United Kingdom, raising hopes that the Trump administration’s chaotic trade policies could soon be settling down.
Under the deal, the 10% tariff that was imposed on goods imported from the UK remains in place, while the UK agreed to lower its tariffs to 1.8% from 5.1% and provide further access to U.S. goods.
Moreover, steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. would be exempt from Trump’s 25% levy.
“The deal enables the President to offer the sense of flexibility that financial markets are craving. The reaction – higher equity prices, a stronger dollar, higher Treasury yields – shows that it has had the desired effect,” ING analysts said in a note.
However, analysts were sceptical that the UK’s deal would herald a much broader easing in trade tensions.