Stock Futures Rise as S&P 500 Looks for a Second Winning Week

Stock futures were higher on Sunday, as investors try to glean whether equities can extend recent gains into a fresh trading week.

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 182 points, or 0.4%. S&P 500 futures added 0.5%, while Nasdaq 100 futures were 0.6% higher.

Stocks are coming off a much-needed winning week. The S&P 500 finished in the green on Friday and avoided four-straight weekly losses.

However, investors remain jittery over concerns about a potential slowdown of U.S. economic growth as President Donald Trump’s April 2 start date for reciprocal tariffs approaches. Trump said the tariffs are aimed at any country that imposes duties on U.S. imports.

“Equities feel ripe for a bounce,” Bank of America’s trading desk said in a Sunday note. “Positioning hurdles have been cleared, sentiment has reset, flows are turning tailwinds, and growth concerns are well flagged.”

To be sure, Trump seemingly lowered the temperature for investors on Friday after he told reporters that there could potentially be “flexibility” for his reciprocal tariff plan. The president did stop short of suggesting that there could be some tariff exemptions, however, as he did similarly for automakers earlier in March.

On Sunday, The Wall Street Journal reported the tariffs are expected to be more narrow in scope and will likely exclude some industry-specific duties, citing an administration official.

The pending duties and Trump’s overall rhetoric on U.S. trade policy have raised fears among investors that the U.S. economy could be on shaky footing. Those concerns were exacerbated by weakening consumer sentiment data. However, investors received some encouraging words from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who last week said that any potential negative impacts from Trump’s tariffs will likely be short-lived.

On the data front this week, investors will receive a consumer confidence reading on Tuesday, followed by initial weekly jobless claims figures on Thursday.

James Hardie Industries to Acquire AZEK in a Cash and Stock Deal

James Hardie Industries will acquire outdoor products manufacturer AZEK in a cash and stock deal valued at nearly $9 billion, the fiber-cement maker said.

The deal will see AZEK shareholders receive $26.45 in cash and 1.0340 ordinary shares of James Hardie, which will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, for each AZEK share. This will bring the total per share value to $56.88 per share, equating to a 37.4% premium to the closing price of AZEK’s stock on Friday.

White House Reportedly Plans to Narrow Scope of Trump’s April 2 Tariffs

The White House is planning to issue a more narrow slate of tariffs than previously expected on April 2, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Sunday, citing an administration official.

Previously announced reciprocal duties are still planned to be announced on April 2, the report said, albeit likely without sector-specific duties that President Donald Trump had aimed at sectors including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors.

Stock Futures Rise on Sunday

U.S. stock futures were higher on Sunday, as investors look to push equities higher for a second-straight week.

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 197 points, or 0.4%. S&P 500 futures advanced 0.5%, while Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.6%.

Cre: CNBC

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