U.S. Stock Futures Soar Amid Thanksgiving Trading Week

Nov 24, 2024 at 11:04 PM
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The U.S. stock market kicked off a shortened Thanksgiving trading week with futures climbing on Sunday night. Markets will be closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving Day and end early on Friday. This presents an interesting period for investors as they navigate the changing landscape.

Unlock the Potential of Thanksgiving Trading with U.S. Stock Futures

Post-Election Rally and Market Performance

The major averages are coming off a winning week as the postelection rally picked up again. The 30-stock Dow advanced around 2% last week and finished at a record close. Meanwhile, the broad market index and Nasdaq Composite each rose about 1.7%. The small-cap Russell 2000 jumped roughly 4.5% during the week. This shows the strength and resilience of the market in the aftermath of the election. Investors are closely watching these trends as they look to make informed decisions.There is a sense of optimism in the air as the market continues to move forward. However, it is important to remember that the market is always unpredictable and there are risks involved. Investors need to be cautious and make informed decisions based on careful analysis.

President-Elect Trump's Nomination and Market Impact

President-elect Donald Trump signaled his intention to nominate Key Square Group founder Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary on Friday after the market close. Investors may view this pick favorably and see the hedge fund manager as someone who will be supportive of the equity market. To be sure, Trump stated that Bessent would help him implement protectionist trade policies, which some investors fear will hurt the market.This nomination has the potential to have a significant impact on the market. On one hand, it could provide support to the equity market as investors see a potential ally in Bessent. On the other hand, the implementation of protectionist trade policies could lead to uncertainty and volatility in the market. Investors will be closely watching how this situation unfolds and how it affects the market.

Corporate Earnings and Market Outlook

Despite this week's shortened trading week, the interest rate outlook is back in focus with the release of October's personal consumption expenditure (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure. Minutes from the Fed's most recent policy meeting are also due out ahead of Thanksgiving.On the corporate earnings front, several retailers and tech names are slated to release quarterly results during the week. Bath and Body Works is scheduled to announce its earnings Monday morning. On Tuesday, retailers Macy's, Nordstrom and Best Buy are reporting results, as well as tech companies CrowdStrike and Dell Technologies.These earnings reports will provide valuable insights into the health of the corporate sector and how it is performing in the current economic environment. Investors will be looking for signs of growth and stability as they assess the market outlook.

Dollar Index and Currency Movements

The dollar index declined 0.6% to 106.92 on Sunday. This marks a slight pullback from the index's 0.8% gain last week, during which it hit a one-year high.The greenback also strengthened to its highest level since July against the yen last week. The dollar was last down 0.1% versus the yen at 154.17. These currency movements have important implications for global markets and trade. Investors need to stay informed about these developments and how they may affect their portfolios.In conclusion, the Thanksgiving trading week is shaping up to be an eventful one for the U.S. stock market. With various factors at play, including the post-election rally, corporate earnings, and currency movements, investors have a lot to consider. It will be important to stay informed and make informed decisions based on careful analysis.