Nasdaq, S&P 500, Dow set for gains as investors embrace Apple earnings

US inventory futures rose on Friday after stable earnings from Apple (AAPL), as buyers braced for a looming tariff deadline and an inflation report that would form the trail of rates of interest.

Contracts on the Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) climbed 0.8%, with spirits getting a lift from stable tech earnings. S&P 500 futures (ES=F) moved up roughly 0.5%, whereas Dow Jones Industrial Common (YM=F) added 0.3%, each set to construct on Thursday’s gains.

Shares in Apple had been rising in pre-market after the megacap posted a first quarter profit beat. Whereas quarterly iPhone and China gross sales fell brief, buyers took an upbeat outlook for income as a sign of future recovery.

Intel’s (INTC) better-than-expected earnings had been additionally serving to markets transfer previous the tech fears prompted by DeepSeek’s promise of low cost Chinese language AI, because the chipmaker’s inventory tipped larger.

However the S&P 500 (^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) are headed for small weekly losses, due to the tech rout sparked by DeepSeek, whereas the Dow (^DJI) is on observe for a acquire amid a robust begin to earnings season.

In the meantime, a unstable January marked by Trump’s early days in workplace appears to be like set to convey month-to-month wins for the most important gauges, with the Dow eyeing a bounce of over 5%.

Trump on Thursday doubled down on a risk to impose a first round of 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. The looming Saturday deadline has revived worries in regards to the impression on the economic system from a clampdown on the US’s greatest buying and selling companions.

Learn extra: The latest news and updates as Trump’s tariff deadline approaches

On social media, Trump warned BRICS nations that they will face 100% tariffs in the event that they exchange the greenback with their very own joint forex or one other. The greenback (DX-Y.NYB) rose, headed for its best week since November.

The lack of clarity over tariffs has left Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell wait-and-see mode, with the potential for tariffs to inflame inflation in focus.

Meaning a recent studying of the Fed’s most popular inflation gauge, the Private Consumption Expenditures index, will likely be carefully watched for a steer on the trail of rates of interest. Economists expect annual “core” PCE — excluding meals and vitality — to return in at 2.8% in December, unchanged from November.

Eyes are additionally the newest batch of earnings reviews, with Chevron (CVX), Colgate (CL), Exxon Mobil (XOM), and Phillips 66 (PSX) on the docket.

LIVE 3 updates

Good morning. This is what’s taking place at the moment.
The one issues to care about on Intel

My award for greatest 2025 earnings name for an interim CEO award goes to Intel’s (INTC) co-interim CEO Michelle Holthaus.

“There are not any fast fixes,” Holthaus began her earnings name with final night time. She then adopted that with a bunch of no-BS feedback on the state of the chipmaker.

I favored it! I want extra execs did not blow smoke within the face of buyers, analysts and media.

Then once more, everybody is aware of Intel is in an actual dangerous place proper now, so it would not damage to be bluntly trustworthy.

Holthaus’ feedback and people by co-interim CEO David Zinsner on the foundry enterprise (it isn’t getting out of the cash-draining enterprise, a minimum of this 12 months) counsel Intel is in for an additional brutal 2025. Price cuts will make the underside line really feel much less brutal, however that is seemingly a lifeless cash inventory till a everlasting CEO is introduced within the coming months.
The Apple AI hype

Tim Prepare dinner’s bullish feedback on Apple Intelligence on a convention name are largely driving the pre-market bid in Apple (AAPL), primarily based on what I’m seeing on the market.

I can recognize the keenness on the product and what it might imply to the corporate’s companies enterprise. However Apple did not precisely blow minds with its outcomes.

China gross sales tanking 11% 12 months on 12 months is an enormous deal. Commentary on China on the decision counsel a restoration within the enterprise is a number of quarters away.

“Whereas companies stay robust and the combination is shifting towards larger margin, our issues round: 1) lack of a US improve cycle; 2) China competitors; and three) an unlikely inflection throughout all merchandise/geographies stay,” Brandon Nispel stated in a shopper notice this morning.

Nispel reiterated an Underweight score (promote equal) on the inventory.

Hat tip, Brandon, on the blunt evaluation.