U.S. stock futures slipped on Sunday evening after the S&P 500 posted its longest winning streak since 2004, with investors growing cautious ahead of this week’s pivotal Federal Reserve policy meeting and ongoing signals of potential U.S.-China trade negotiations.
By 19:56 ET (23:56 GMT), S&P 500 Futures dropped 0.6% to 5,674.75 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures fell 0.7% to 20,060.0 points, and Dow Jones Futures edged 0.5% lower to 41,218.0.
Record rally driven by robust jobs data
Last week’s gains were underpinned by stronger-than-expected labor market data. Nonfarm payrolls grew by 177,000 in April, outpacing economist expectations of 138,000, signaling continued labor market resilience. While March’s reading was revised down to 185,000, the overall trend supported the view that the U.S. economy remains fundamentally strong despite uncertainties over tariffs and global trade dynamics.
The rally culminated in the S&P 500’s nine-session winning streak—its longest in over 20 years—and weekly gains of 3% to 5% across all three major U.S. indices.
Trade talks rekindle hope, but caution remains
Friday’s optimism was further fueled by China’s statement that it is open to resuming trade talks, contingent on the removal of unilateral U.S. tariffs. These comments followed Washington’s signals of renewed willingness for dialogue, sparking investor speculation about a potential thaw in U.S.-China trade tensions.
However, no formal announcements have been made yet, keeping traders on edge. Markets are also closely watching for China’s upcoming trade data releases, which will offer insights into the true impact of U.S. tariffs on China’s export-driven economy. You can follow those real-time updates via the China Trade Balance, CPI, and PMI data in the Economic Calendar.
Fed in focus: Rate guidance under scrutiny
Attention now turns to the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting, which may provide new guidance on interest rates. Investors are looking for clarity on whether the central bank intends to maintain its current stance or begin shifting toward easing.
The Fed’s approach will likely depend on evolving inflation data and broader financial conditions. Investors can track comprehensive insights through the Key Metrics (TTM), which offer rolling financial indicators across U.S. equities—useful for evaluating sectors most sensitive to Fed policy shifts.
With global trade developments and monetary policy decisions looming, the week ahead promises higher volatility and renewed focus on macroeconomic fundamentals.