Stock market today: S&P 500 rides tech rally to longest win streak since 2004

Wall Street futures indicated a negative opening for U.S. markets on Friday, as investors processed warnings from technology heavyweight Apple about potential tariff impacts and e-commerce giant Amazon’s underwhelming forecast, adding to concerns about corporate earnings in a potentially changing economic landscape.

Tech Giants Signal Economic Caution

Apple shares declined 2.7% in premarket trading after CEO Tim Cook warned that proposed tariffs on Chinese imports by President-elect Donald Trump could significantly impact the company’s operations. During an earnings call, Cook emphasized that such tariffs would not only affect Apple but would have broader implications for the U.S. economy.

“It’s important to remember that tariffs are essentially a tax on the consumer,” Cook stated, highlighting the potential ripple effects of proposed trade policies.

Meanwhile, Amazon dropped 6.5% in early trading following its release of holiday-quarter revenue forecasts that fell short of market expectations. The e-commerce leader projected fourth-quarter sales between $166 billion and $172 billion, below the $171.34 billion average analyst estimate, raising questions about consumer spending strength during the crucial holiday shopping period.

These developments from two of America’s most valuable companies cast shadows over the broader technology sector, with Nasdaq 100 futures falling 0.9% in response.

Market Index Futures Signal Downward Pressure

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dipped 0.2%, while S&P 500 futures declined 0.5%, indicating a potentially challenging end to the trading week. The negative pre-market activity suggests Wall Street may struggle to maintain its recent momentum despite some positive economic indicators earlier in the week.

The market reaction comes after a strong performance on Thursday, when the S&P 500 gained 0.7% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 0.3%, driven partly by optimism following better-than-expected economic data, including a decline in weekly jobless claims.

Investors now appear to be recalibrating their expectations based on the mixed corporate earnings picture and growing concerns about potential economic headwinds.

Mixed Corporate Earnings Landscape

Beyond the technology sector, energy giant Exxon Mobil reported better-than-expected third-quarter profit, though its shares edged down 0.4% in premarket trading as investors assessed the broader implications of the results.

Intel shares surged 7.4% after the chipmaker announced significant job cuts and suspended its dividend as part of a comprehensive cost-reduction strategy. The restructuring plan appeared to gain investor approval despite reflecting ongoing challenges in the semiconductor industry.

Chevron reported earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, with its shares rising 0.5% in early trading. The positive performance from the energy sector provided some counterbalance to the technology sector’s struggles.

DoorDash shares jumped 10.4% after the food delivery service posted strong quarterly results and raised its annual core profit forecast, suggesting continued strength in certain consumer service segments despite broader economic concerns.

Economic Indicators and Policy Outlook

Investors are also processing recent economic data that has presented a mixed picture of the U.S. economy. Thursday’s report showing a decline in weekly jobless claims to 216,000 had initially boosted market sentiment, suggesting resilience in the labor market.

However, concerns about potential policy changes under the incoming administration, particularly regarding trade and tariffs, have introduced new elements of uncertainty for market participants to evaluate.

The Commerce Department is scheduled to release the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index later on Friday, which represents the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. This data point could significantly influence market sentiment and expectations regarding future monetary policy decisions.

Adding to the complex market environment, investors continue to assess the implications of the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate reduction and signals about future monetary policy direction, particularly as economic indicators present sometimes contradictory signals about the health of the U.S. economy.

Market Sentiment and Forward Outlook

Despite Friday’s negative premarket indicators, the major U.S. indices remain on track for monthly gains, with the S&P 500 up approximately 2% for October and the Nasdaq Composite showing similar performance. This suggests underlying market resilience despite periodic concerns about valuations and economic headwinds.

Analysts note that market volatility may increase in the coming weeks as investors continue to process corporate earnings reports, economic data, and potential policy shifts related to the upcoming presidential transition. This environment could present both challenges and opportunities for market participants navigating an increasingly complex financial landscape.

The market’s reaction to warnings from influential companies like Apple and Amazon may serve as important indicators of investor sentiment regarding the sustainability of corporate earnings growth in a potentially changing economic and policy environment.