Stock Futures Rise Ahead of Fed Decision, Earnings Week

Stocks were set to open a new week on Monday in New York ahead of the Fed’s decision this week. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Stock futures rose to start the final week of trading for July, as investors prepared for a big dose of economic reports, tech earnings, and the Federal Reserve’s next decision on interest rates.

Just after 6 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose nearly 200 points or 0.4%, while S&P 500 futures rose 0.4%, and Nasdaq Composite futures rose 0.5%.

Markets were reacting to a deal reached on Sunday between the U.S. and the European Union. Products from the EU imported into the U.S. will carry a 15% tariff, which is half the level threatened by President Donald Trump before a deal was secured.

An American trade delegation was set to meet with counterparts from China on Monday in Stockholm to try to advance trade talks after a temporary agreement reached in June.

Investors are bracing for a barrage of earnings and economic reports this week and the Fed’s latest decision on rates, due out on Wednesday. Futures markets overwhelmingly expect the Fed will hold rates steady, despite Trump’s repeated urges to cut rates.

Markets have largely shrugged off concerns about Friday’s deadline for trade deals, when Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs on imports from around the world kick in.

This week also features earnings reports from several big technology companies including Meta Platforms and Microsoft on Wednesday and Amazon and Apple on Thursday.

The S&P 500 closed at a record on Friday, marking the first time since November 2021 that it has hit closing highs every day in a week. The Nasdaq marked its ninth record close in 10 sessions, and the Dow rose 208 points to inch closer to the level of its Dec. 4 record close.

Write to Liz Moyer at liz.moyer@barrons.com