Stock futures are little changed to kick off August trading: Live updates
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images
Stock futures are little changed Sunday night to kick off the start of a new trading month. Investors are once again on edge amid worries of rising inflation and an economic slowdown as the Trump administration's new round of tariffs are expected to take effect.
S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures hovered near the flatline. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 15 points, or less than 0.1%.
Stocks are coming off of a volatile trading week that saw each of the three major U.S. indexes end with significant losses, halting weeks of mostly positive moves for the broader market.
The S&P 500 ended the week down 2.4%, notching its worst weekly performance since May 23, while the 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.9% to post its worst week since April 4. The Nasdaq Composite ended the week down 2.2%.
Friday's sell-off was driven by a worse-than-expected July jobs report and jitters about President Donald Trump's new modified tariff rates. Trump signed an executive order late last week that updated his "reciprocal" tariffs on dozens of U.S. trading partners, ranging from Syria to Taiwan, with updated duties ranging from 10% to 41%.
Investors are now digesting what a weakened U.S. labor market could mean for the weeks ahead. Traders are expecting reduced chances for a September interest rate cut after policymakers last week held the benchmark overnight borrowing rate in place for the fifth-straight meeting.
The market is also bracing for a historically weak month. August is the worst month for the Dow Jones Industrial Average in data going back to 1988, and the second worst for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nixing Tailpipe Emissions Rules Will Spike Gas Prices, Trump Admin Report Says
Nixing Tailpipe Emissions Rules Will Spike Gas Prices, Trump Admin Report Says originally appeared on Autoblog. The EPA touted savings for Americans On July 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it was in the process of rescinding the landmark 2009 endangerment finding, a decision that set the course for regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions, such as those from cars and power plants. In its announcement, the EPA noted that if its proposal is finalized, greenhouse gas emissions regulations for motor vehicles and engines would be repealed, which it claims would restore consumer choice and give Americans the ability to purchase a safe and affordable car for their families, thereby decreasing the overall cost of living. 'With this proposal, the Trump EPA is proposing to end sixteen years of uncertainty for automakers and American consumers,' EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement. "[...] If finalized, rescinding the Endangerment Finding and resulting regulations would end $1 trillion or more in hidden taxes on American businesses and families." Revoking emissions policies will make gas expensive, the US EIA finds Despite promising $54 billion in annual savings for Americans, a new report from CBS News, using data from the EPA and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), shows that one vital resource that enables everyday transportation will become more expensive over time if the EPA successfully rescinds the 2009 endangerment finding. According to EIA projections cited by both CBS and the EPA, gas prices are expected to increase over time in a scenario where emissions policies are revoked under the Trump administration, as there would be a higher demand for gas-powered cars to travel and fuel to power them. Although gas prices are subject to intense market volatility due to various factors, USEIA data indicate that gas prices would largely fall if the environmental policies of the last administration were to remain intact, and that prices would increase under a proposed rollback of environmental regulations. Under the Biden administration, the EPA set a new goal for new gas-powered cars to achieve 47.1 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2027 and then reach around 61.2 miles per gallon by 2035. Without those Biden-era policies, cars made in 2027 are only expected to meet a lower standard of 43.6 mpg, gradually increasing to 50.5 mpg by 2035. In an emailed statement to CBS News, former EIA administrator Joseph DeCarolis explained that if the EPA under the Trump administration "disincentivizes electric vehicle purchases, more consumers will purchase gasoline vehicles, resulting in higher gasoline consumption and high gasoline prices for everyone." "There's a clear causal connection between rescinding measures promoting electric vehicles, such as EPA tailpipe standards, and the projection of higher gasoline prices," he said. In an interview on CBS's The Takeout with Major Garrett, Zeldin did not address how the plan to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding would affect gas prices. Instead, he argued that the previous administration's policies were costing trillions of dollars, as they were heavily restricting "[…] entire sectors of our economy, and specifically our energy economy.' 'It's important that we are applying common sense," Zeldin said, "that we are cognizant of these economic demands and that, wherever possible, when we can protect the environment and grow the economy that we will choose both." Final Thoughts Be that as it may, the American consumer is already at a penny-pinching point of contention, and experts warn that these proposed EPA rollbacks would add to the already expensive operating costs of gas-powered cars. In a statement to CBS News, Peter Huether, a senior transportation research associate at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, warned that "Drivers would pay thousands of dollars more in fuel and maintenance costs over the life of a vehicle, and businesses could lose billions annually from higher trucking costs" if the Zeldin-led EPA gets its way. He added that the added cost for fuel costs "would ripple through the economy, raising prices for everyday goods and undercutting job growth." Nixing Tailpipe Emissions Rules Will Spike Gas Prices, Trump Admin Report Says first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Asian shares track Wall Street lower, dollar rangebound
By Stella Qiu SYDNEY (Reuters) -Asian shares slipped along with Wall Street on Wednesday, after weak U.S. data highlighted the damage tariffs were having on economic activity and earnings, while the dollar struggled with the drag from lower bond yields. U.S. services sector activity unexpectedly flatlined in July, data showed on Tuesday. Employment further weakened and input costs climbed by the most in nearly three years, underscoring the impact from President Donald Trump's tariff policy. Second-quarter earnings results also revealed pressure from Trump's tariff wars. Taco Bell parent Yum Brands missed expectations as steep trade duties dent consumer spending, while Caterpillar warned that U.S. tariffs would cost it up to $1.5 billion this year. "It paints a picture of a stagflationary dynamic, which although still far from truly coming to fruition, raises the risk of a toxic mix of rising joblessness and prices as tariffs filter through the U.S. economy," said Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2%, while Japan's Nikkei eked out a small 0.2% gain. Both Chinese blue chips and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were flat. Nasdaq futures fell 0.3% and S&P 500 futures eased 0.1%. Trump on Tuesday said it would announce tariffs on semiconductors and chips in the next week or so, while the U.S. would initially impose a "small tariff" on pharmaceutical imports before increasing it substantially in a year or two. He also said the U.S. was close to a trade deal with China and that he would meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before the end of the year if an agreement was struck. However, he threatened to further raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases. In currency markets, the dollar consolidated after sliding from two-month highs last Friday on a weak jobs report that had markets price in a near-certain chance of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six counterparts, was flat at 98.821 and was up 0.1% this week after Friday's 1.4% fall. Fed funds futures imply a 94% chance of a rate cut next month, with at least two cuts priced in for this year, according to the CME's FedWatch. Investors are waiting for Trump's pick to fill a coming vacancy on the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. Trump said the decision will be made soon, while ruling out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as a contender to replace current chief Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Treasury yields edged up overnight after a $58 billion auction of three-year notes went poorly, but still hovered near multi-month lows. More supply will hit the market this week with $42 billion in 10-year notes on Wednesday and $25 billion in 30-year bonds on Thursday. Two-year Treasury yields rose 1 basis point to 3.7284%, having risen 3.5 bps overnight, while benchmark 10-year yields ticked up 2 bps to 4.2198%, after holding steady overnight. In commodity markets, oil prices edged up after four straight sessions of declines. U.S. crude rose 0.2% to $65.3 per barrel, while Brent was at a one-month low of $67.78 per barrel, up 0.1%. Trump said on Tuesday he will decide on whether to sanction countries who purchase Russian oil after a meeting with Russian officials scheduled for Wednesday. Spot gold prices were flat at $3,381 an ounce. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Asian shares track Wall Street lower, dollar rangebound
By Stella Qiu SYDNEY (Reuters) -Asian shares slipped along with Wall Street on Wednesday, after weak U.S. data highlighted the damage tariffs were having on economic activity and earnings, while the dollar struggled with the drag from lower bond yields. U.S. services sector activity unexpectedly flatlined in July, data showed on Tuesday. Employment further weakened and input costs climbed by the most in nearly three years, underscoring the impact from President Donald Trump's tariff policy. Second-quarter earnings results also revealed pressure from Trump's tariff wars. Taco Bell parent Yum Brands missed expectations as steep trade duties dent consumer spending, while Caterpillar warned that U.S. tariffs would cost it up to $1.5 billion this year. "It paints a picture of a stagflationary dynamic, which although still far from truly coming to fruition, raises the risk of a toxic mix of rising joblessness and prices as tariffs filter through the U.S. economy," said Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2%, while Japan's Nikkei eked out a small 0.2% gain. Both Chinese blue chips and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were flat. Nasdaq futures fell 0.3% and S&P 500 futures eased 0.1%. Trump on Tuesday said it would announce tariffs on semiconductors and chips in the next week or so, while the U.S. would initially impose a "small tariff" on pharmaceutical imports before increasing it substantially in a year or two. He also said the U.S. was close to a trade deal with China and that he would meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before the end of the year if an agreement was struck. However, he threatened to further raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases. In currency markets, the dollar consolidated after sliding from two-month highs last Friday on a weak jobs report that had markets price in a near-certain chance of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six counterparts, was flat at 98.821 and was up 0.1% this week after Friday's 1.4% fall. Fed funds futures imply a 94% chance of a rate cut next month, with at least two cuts priced in for this year, according to the CME's FedWatch. Investors are waiting for Trump's pick to fill a coming vacancy on the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. Trump said the decision will be made soon, while ruling out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as a contender to replace current chief Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Treasury yields edged up overnight after a $58 billion auction of three-year notes went poorly, but still hovered near multi-month lows. More supply will hit the market this week with $42 billion in 10-year notes on Wednesday and $25 billion in 30-year bonds on Thursday. Two-year Treasury yields rose 1 basis point to 3.7284%, having risen 3.5 bps overnight, while benchmark 10-year yields ticked up 2 bps to 4.2198%, after holding steady overnight. In commodity markets, oil prices edged up after four straight sessions of declines. U.S. crude rose 0.2% to $65.3 per barrel, while Brent was at a one-month low of $67.78 per barrel, up 0.1%. Trump said on Tuesday he will decide on whether to sanction countries who purchase Russian oil after a meeting with Russian officials scheduled for Wednesday. Spot gold prices were flat at $3,381 an ounce. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
