US stock futures gain after Wall St surges on Trump’s 90-day tariff pause

 U.S. stock futures are showing modest gains following a significant surge on Wall Street, prompted by President Donald Trump's announcement of a 90-day pause on most tariffs. This pause applies a reduced 10% tariff rate to over 75 countries that have refrained from retaliating, while simultaneously increasing tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%. 

Market Reactions:

• S&P 500 Futures: Rose 0.5% to 5,516.25 points.​

• Nasdaq 100 Futures: Edged up 0.2% to 19,298.25 points.

• Dow Jones Futures: Gained 0.7% to 41,109.0 points. 

These futures movements indicate a continuation of the positive momentum from the previous trading session, where major indices experienced substantial gains:​

• S&P 500: Soared 9.5%, marking its biggest daily gain since 2008. ​

• Nasdaq Composite: Jumped over 8%, achieving its best day since 2001. 

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Recorded its highest one-day point gain. 

Investor Sentiment:

The market's enthusiastic response reflects investor relief over the temporary easing of trade tensions with multiple countries. However, the increased tariffs on Chinese imports have intensified concerns about escalating trade conflicts between the U.S. and China.

Political Reactions:

In Congress, reactions have been mixed. Republicans largely welcomed the tariff pause, viewing it as a strategic move to stabilize the economy and markets. Democrats, however, criticized the decision as erratic and politically motivated, calling for investigations into potential insider trading. ​

Looking Ahead:

Investors are advised to monitor ongoing trade negotiations closely, particularly between the U.S. and China, as these developments are likely to influence market performance in the coming weeks.