Nasdaq, S&P 500, Dow set for features as buyers embrace Apple earnings

US inventory futures rose on Friday after strong earnings from Apple (AAPL), as buyers braced for a looming tariff deadline and an inflation report that would form the trail of rates of interest.

Contracts on the Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) climbed 0.8%, with spirits getting a lift from strong tech earnings. S&P 500 futures (ES=F) moved up roughly 0.5%, whereas Dow Jones Industrial Common (YM=F) added 0.3%, each set to construct on Thursday’s features.

Shares in Apple have been rising in pre-market after the megacap posted a primary quarter revenue beat. Whereas quarterly iPhone and China gross sales fell quick, buyers took an upbeat outlook for income as an indication of future restoration.

Intel’s (INTC) better-than-expected earnings have been additionally serving to markets transfer previous the tech fears prompted by DeepSeek’s promise of low cost Chinese language AI, because the chipmaker’s inventory tipped greater.

However the S&P 500 (^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) are headed for small weekly losses, due to the tech rout sparked by DeepSeek, whereas the Dow (^DJI) is on monitor for a achieve amid a robust begin to earnings season.

In the meantime, a unstable January marked by Trump’s early days in workplace seems set to deliver month-to-month wins for the foremost gauges, with the Dow eyeing a leap of over 5%.

Trump on Thursday doubled down on a menace to impose a primary spherical of 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. The looming Saturday deadline has revived worries in regards to the affect on the economic system from a clampdown on the US’s greatest buying and selling companions.

Learn extra: The most recent information and updates as Trump’s tariff deadline approaches

On social media, Trump warned BRICS nations that they’ll face 100% tariffs in the event that they exchange the greenback with their very own joint foreign money or one other. The greenback (DX-Y.NYB) rose, headed for its finest week since November.

The dearth of readability over tariffs has left Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell wait-and-see mode, with the potential for tariffs to inflame inflation in focus.

Meaning a contemporary studying of the Fed’s most well-liked inflation gauge, the Private Consumption Expenditures index, might be carefully watched for a steer on the trail of rates of interest. Economists anticipate annual “core” PCE — excluding meals and power — to return in at 2.8% in December, unchanged from November.

Eyes are additionally the most recent batch of earnings experiences, with Chevron (CVX), Colgate (CL), Exxon Mobil (XOM), and Phillips 66 (PSX) on the docket.

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Good morning. This is what’s taking place in the present day.

The one issues to care about on Intel

My award for finest 2025 earnings name for an interim CEO award goes to Intel’s (INTC) co-interim CEO Michelle Holthaus.

“There aren’t any fast fixes,” Holthaus began her earnings name with final night time. She then adopted that with a number of no-BS feedback on the state of the chipmaker.

I favored it! I want extra execs did not blow smoke within the face of buyers, analysts and media.

Then once more, everybody is aware of Intel is in an actual unhealthy place proper now, so it does not damage to be bluntly trustworthy.

Holthaus’ feedback and people by co-interim CEO David Zinsner on the foundry enterprise (it is not getting out of the cash-draining enterprise, at the very least this 12 months) counsel Intel is in for one more brutal 2025. Price cuts will make the underside line really feel much less brutal, however that is seemingly a useless cash inventory till a everlasting CEO is introduced within the coming months.

The Apple AI hype

Tim Cook dinner’s bullish feedback on Apple Intelligence on a convention name are largely driving the pre-market bid in Apple (AAPL), based mostly on what I’m seeing on the market.

I can respect the passion on the product and what it might imply to the corporate’s companies enterprise. However Apple did not precisely blow minds with its outcomes.

China gross sales tanking 11% 12 months on 12 months is a giant deal. Commentary on China on the decision counsel a restoration within the enterprise is a number of quarters away.

“Whereas companies stay sturdy and the combination is shifting towards greater margin, our issues round: 1) lack of a US improve cycle; 2) China competitors; and three) an unlikely inflection throughout all merchandise/geographies stay,” Brandon Nispel mentioned in a consumer be aware this morning.

Nispel reiterated an Underweight ranking (promote equal) on the inventory.

Hat tip, Brandon, on the blunt evaluation.