US Futures Gain Amid Tech Rebound, Tariff Talk Buzz, and Fed Watch

US stock futures climbed on Tuesday, signaling potential stabilization after days of volatility spurred by intensifying global trade tensions. The rise came even as broader investor sentiment remained cautious, with markets attempting to parse through conflicting signals from Washington regarding the tariff trajectory.

Wall Street Recap: Tech Bounces, Indexes Split

Monday’s session was a tale of two market segments:

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.91%, and the S&P 500 slipped 0.23%, marking the third straight day of declines for both indexes

• The Nasdaq Composite, however, rose 0.1%, as traders bought the dip in major technology stocks

Big winners included:

• Nvidia: +3.5%

• Amazon: +2.5%

• Meta: +2.3%

• Palantir: +5.2%

• Broadcom: +5.4%

These rebounds provided temporary relief amid the broader downtrend, with investors hoping that core tech earnings and resilient fundamentals might shield some firms from the fallout of the trade war.

90-Day Tariff Pause Rumor Denied, But Talks May Be Coming

Early optimism in the market was fueled by speculation of a potential 90-day pause on new tariffs, giving investors hope that diplomacy might take precedence. However, those rumors were quickly dismissed by the White House, which reaffirmed its hardline stance on trade policy.

Despite the denial, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that nearly 70 countries, including Japan, have reached out to the US to initiate tariff negotiations. This growing diplomatic interest reflects widespread concern about the global implications of US tariff policies.

While nothing concrete has materialized yet, the sheer volume of outreach suggests that a new wave of multilateral trade talks may be on the horizon.

Inflation Data Looms Large

While trade policy dominates headlines, investors are also laser-focused on inflation data scheduled to be released later this week.

This report is expected to play a critical role in shaping market expectations for the next move by the Federal Reserve, particularly:

• Whether rate cuts will remain on the table

• How persistent price pressures may be, especially amid supply chain instability driven by trade barriers

• The potential balancing act between controlling inflation and sustaining economic growth

Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee recently stressed the need to wait for hard data before making any policy decisions, which places even more emphasis on this week’s numbers.

Market Sentiment: Fragile, but Hopeful

Overall, investor sentiment remains fragile but cautiously optimistic:

• US futures have stabilized, led by gains in the tech sector

• Global equities remain mixed, as international markets digest the escalating rhetoric between the US and China

Investors are now positioning portfolios for volatility, with a mix of defensive plays, tech rebounds, and macro-sensitive assets.

Outlook: Fed Clarity and Tariff Timeline Are Key

Heading into mid-April, the market’s direction will likely hinge on two pivotal developments:

1. Clarity from the Federal Reserve

   • Will inflation come in hot and delay rate cuts?

   • Or will the data support a policy easing later this year?

2. Progress on tariff negotiations

   • Could rising global pressure force Washington to soften its stance?

   • Will China engage or retaliate further?

For now, traders are pricing in flexibility, reacting day by day to headlines and hoping for a clearer macro narrative to emerge.

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