Breaking News: S&P 500 Tries to End Four-Week Slump Amid Stock Futures Dip – Live Updates Inside!

U.S. stock futures took a dip on Friday morning as the S&P 500 tries to break a four-week losing streak. This slump followed worries over trade policies, fears of a recession, and a downturn in major tech stocks.

Futures for the S&P 500 were down 0.3%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures lost 136 points, also a 0.3% drop. The Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.4%. This follows a rough day for major indexes on Thursday. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2%, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.3%, and the Dow lost 11.31 points, a mere 0.03% decline.

Despite these losses, the S&P 500 could see a 0.4% gain for the week, potentially ending its losing streak. At one point, it even fell into correction territory. Currently, it’s about 8% away from its record high. This week’s bump mostly came after the Federal Reserve kept its forecast of two rate cuts for the year, even as it raised its inflation outlook and lowered growth expectations. The new data raised concerns over stagflation, which is marked by rising inflation paired with slowing economic growth. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that tariffs could “delay” inflation control.

Michael Green, a strategist at Simplify Asset Management, noted that companies are feeling the pinch. He said, "They’re facing uncertainty around their planning, spending, and hiring. When they hesitate, the market feels it."

Some companies are struggling more than others. FedEx shares fell sharply by 7% on Friday after the company reduced its earnings outlook, citing concerns over the U.S. industrial economy. Similarly, Nike’s stock slid 5% after predicting lower sales this quarter due to tariffs and weak consumer confidence.

This week has been mixed for the markets. While the Dow is on track for a 1.1% weekly gain, its best performance since late January, the Nasdaq has faced about a 0.4% drop, marking its fifth straight week of losses. This is the longest stretch of declines for the Nasdaq since May 2022.

These market movements reflect deeper issues at play, especially with ongoing trade tensions. Recent surveys show that a majority of CEOs are concerned about the economic outlook, driven by these trade policy uncertainties. Reports indicate that nearly 60% of business leaders are adjusting their strategies to accommodate this unpredictability.

For more information on current market conditions, consider checking out the latest from reputable sources like MarketWatch or Bloomberg.

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