S&P 500 futures remained near the flatline on Wednesday night following a rebound in major averages driven by hopes for tariff concessions from President Donald Trump. Futures tied to the S&P 500 lost 0.06%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were little changed, and Nasdaq 100 futures dipped nearly 0.2%. Stocks experienced volatility earlier in the week, but a White House announcement delaying tariffs on automakers complying with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement fueled optimism. The Dow surged 1.14%, the S&P 500 gained 1.12%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.46% on Wednesday. Despite these gains, all three indexes remain over 1% down week-to-date. Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China have triggered retaliation plans, creating uncertainty. Economists warn of challenges from growth slowdowns, inflation, and policy uncertainty. Traders await weekly jobless claims and February’s payrolls report for further market direction. — news from CNBC
