U.S. stock futures rose Monday as investors digest tariffs, inflation, and earnings. President Donald Trump said he would impose 25% duties on steel and aluminum imports. McDonald’s posted slightly worse-than-expected sales in its fourth quarter.
Stock futures climbed Monday as investors digested the latest phase in a brewing global trade war. The three major U.S. averages dipped last week. Inflation, interest rates, and the potential for tariffs to increase prices will be the focus of this week.
The consumer price index is due Wednesday, while the producer price index is set for Thursday. A handful of major companies will also report earnings, offering a read on consumer spending and how tariffs could affect their businesses. President Donald Trump escalated his global trade conflicts on Sunday, saying he would impose duties on steel and aluminum.
He did not specify the timeline for imposing the duties. While the duties could help U.S. metals companies, they could also raise the prices of some items for U.S. consumers and open up other products to retaliatory tariffs.
Trump escalates trade conflicts
The tariffs on metals were not the only major change the Trump administration was implementing over the weekend. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employees were instructed to suspend nearly all of the regulator’s activities, a move that Democratic lawmakers and consumer advocates slammed, saying it could expose Americans to predatory practices by lenders. McDonald’s posted slightly worse-than-expected quarterly results as an E.
The coli outbreak was linked to the Quarter Pounder burgers hitting its U.S. business. The company’s worldwide same-store sales climbed 0.4%, compared to the 1% decline Wall Street expected. However, the burger giant’s U.S. business underperformed, with same-store sales falling 1.4% compared to Wall Street’s estimate of a 0.6% drop.
Traffic improved during the quarter, but customers spent slightly less than usual, as the chain relied on value meals to attract diners. McDonald’s isn’t the only massive company set to post results this week. Investors should watch for key earnings reports from several other major companies:
– Tuesday: Coca-Cola (before the bell)
– Wednesday: CVS, Biogen (before the bell)
The Philadelphia Eagles routed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
In a game expected to be close, the Eagles dominated on both sides of the ball on the way to a 40-22 victory. Philadelphia’s second Super Bowl win denied Kansas City the first three-peat in Super Bowl history.
