U.S. Stock Futures Climb as Geopolitical Tensions Ease and Key Economic Data Looms

Core Viewpoint - U.S. stock futures are showing upward momentum due to de-escalation of geopolitical tensions and anticipation of crucial economic data releases, setting a positive tone for the market open [1][8] Premarket Trading Activity and Futures Movements - As of early Thursday morning, Nasdaq 100 futures (NDX) were up 0.77%, S&P 500 futures (SPX) gained 0.52%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (DJIA) rose 0.29% [2] - The previous session saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) add 1.21%, S&P 500 (SPX) gain 1.16%, and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) climb 1.18%, indicating a renewed risk appetite among investors [2] Current Performance of Major Market Indexes - The S&P 500 Index (SPX) rose to 6925 points, marking a 0.73% gain from the previous session and a 13.18% increase compared to the same time last year [3] - Nasdaq 100 futures (NDX) are trading around 25,622.50, up 0.59%, while Dow Jones futures (DJIA) are at 49,368.00, up 0.21% [3] Upcoming Market Events - Investors are awaiting the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, crucial for shaping expectations for future monetary policy [4] - Weekly initial jobless claims are expected to increase to 212,000, up from 198,000 the prior week, providing insights into the U.S. labor market [4] - Finalized U.S. GDP numbers for Q4 are projected to show a 4.3% quarter-on-quarter expansion, an acceleration from the 3.3% growth in Q3 [4] Major Stock News and Corporate Announcements - Several prominent companies, including Procter & Gamble (PG), GE Aerospace (GE), and Abbott Laboratories (ABT), are expected to report quarterly results [5] - Other notable companies reporting include Intel Corporation (INTC), Visa (V), and Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) [5] Earnings Season Performance - Early reports from the Q4 earnings season indicate solid performance, with many companies beating consensus estimates [6] - The finance, tech, retail, construction, and transportation sectors are showing positive revisions in earnings estimates for Q1 2026 and beyond [6] - The 51 S&P 500 members that have reported Q4 results have seen total earnings up 17.2% year-over-year on 7.5% higher revenues, with 88.2% beating EPS estimates [6] Significant Stock Movements - Nvidia (NVDA) recently gained 2.95%, reflecting continued strength in the technology sector [7] - The broader market sentiment has been positively influenced by President Trump's easing of tariff threats on Europe, contributing to a more favorable outlook for global trade and corporate earnings [8]