U.S. stock futures took a hit on Monday as President Donald Trump introduced new tariffs, reigniting concerns about a global trade war. Investors are now closely watching the Federal Reserve's upcoming monetary policy decision, which could shape market sentiment for the weeks ahead.
Trump announced a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the U.S., a move that sent media stocks tumbling in premarket trading. Netflix dropped 4.7%, Amazon.com fell 1.5%, while Walt Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery saw declines of around 2.2% each.
Beyond the entertainment sector, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway also saw its class B shares fall 2.2% after the legendary investor announced he would step down as CEO.
Markets had recently found relief amid signs of easing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, but Trump's latest tariff decision has renewed uncertainty. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, with investors keenly awaiting commentary from policymakers on their approach to monetary easing this year.
Economic data last week showed that the U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter, marking its first decline since 2022. Analysts suggest that businesses rushed to import goods before tariffs took effect, raising concerns about slowing growth despite a strong labor market.
As the week unfolds, traders will assess an ISM report on non-manufacturing activity, which is expected to show a slight slowdown but remain in expansion territory. Investors are also pricing in 116 basis points of rate cuts by the end of the year, with the first expected in July.
With uncertainty looming, market participants will be watching corporate earnings and economic indicators closely to gauge how businesses are navigating the evolving trade landscape.
Comments
Post a Comment