Stocks Try to Extend Post-Election Rally


U.S. stock futures were mostly flat on Friday morning after the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite hit records in a postelection rally and investors weighed the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate cut.

Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials gained 25 points, or 0.1%, to 43,651.

Futures for the S&P 500 retreated 1.5 points to 6,002.25.

Futures for the NASDAQ Composite Index handed back 44.25 points, or 0.2%, to 21,180.50.

During Thursday’s trading session, the broad market index gained 0.7% to close at a new record. The tech-heavy NASDAQ jumped 1.5% and ended the session above 19,000 for the first time. Meanwhile, the 30-stock Dow was marginally lower. The three major averages all hit intraday record highs during the session.

The moves higher continue the market rally from Wednesday in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, during which the Dow and S&P 500 rose to their best days since November 2022.

Meanwhile, the Fed lowered interest rates by a quarter point, in-line with the market’s expectations. Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted he is “feeling good” about the economy during a press conference.

Investors generally view a Republican-controlled government as more favorable on expectations for deregulation, the potential for more mergers and acquisitions and proposed tax cuts. However, concerns over the large federal deficit and increased tariffs have also sparked concerns of an uptick in inflation.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 moved ahead 0.3% Friday, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng sank 1.1%.

Oil prices fell $1.21 to $71.15 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices dumped $5.80 to $2,700.



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