Financial markets show growth amid positive company expectations, despite ongoing risks from trade conflicts.
Markets Close Month on Optimistic Note
Stock indices continue to rise: S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures increased by 0.1%, while Dow Jones futures rose by 130 points, or 0.3%. This is happening amid lingering concerns related to international trade during Donald Trump’s second term.
Positive Guidance from Companies
Analysts report that within S&P 500 companies there are more positive forecasts than usual. Of the 110 companies that provided EPS data, 51 issued optimistic projections. However, lower earnings growth is also expected for the second quarter.
Global Markets: Europe and Asia
European markets outperformed their US counterparts. The Stoxx 600 index rose 7% year-to-date, while Germany's DAX and Italy's FTSE MIB increased by 20%. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 noted a rise of 1.13%, while the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong is indicating a weak opening.
Thanks to positive long-term forecasts and hopes for stability, financial markets continue to show growth, while remaining under pressure from international trade relations.
