FX.co ★ US Futures Steady After S&P 500 Gains for 4th Day

On Friday, US stock futures remained steady following a fourth consecutive day of gains for the S&P 500. This positive momentum was fueled by optimism surrounding the US-China trade agreement and diminishing inflation concerns. On Thursday, the S&P 500 increased by 0.41%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.65%, while the Nasdaq Composite saw a slight decline of 0.18% due to weaknesses in the technology sector. Out of the 11 sectors within the S&P 500, eight posted gains, with utilities, consumer staples, and real estate leading the way. In contrast, the tech sector experienced some sell-offs as investors took profits. Economic reports indicated an unexpected 0.5% drop in wholesale prices for April, against predictions of a 0.2% increase. In corporate developments, UnitedHealth Group Inc. shares fell 11% following news of a federal criminal investigation, which put pressure on the broader health care sector. Walmart Inc. shares decreased by 0.5% after cautioning that tariffs might force price hikes, despite reporting stronger-than-expected sales. Conversely, General Electric Company shares gained 2.8% after Qatar decided to utilize only GE engines for Boeing's largest wide-body aircraft order.