View Live Stock Market TodayMarket Indexes Poised for Modest Gains After Wednesday’s Mixed Performance
U.S. stock futures are pointing to a slightly higher open on Thursday, June 12, 2025, as investors continue to process yesterday’s U.S.-China trade agreement and softer-than-expected inflation data. The stock market today looks to recover after Wednesday’s mixed session that saw major indexes retreat from earlier gains.
As of 6:30 a.m. ET, S&P 500 futures are up 0.3%, while Nasdaq Composite futures have gained 0.4%, suggesting a potential rebound for technology stocks. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are showing more modest gains of 0.2%.
On Wednesday, the S&P 500 fell 0.3% to 6,022.24, snapping a three-day winning streak, though the benchmark index remains less than 2% away from its all-time high. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.5% to 19,615.88, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished essentially flat at 42,865.77, down just 1.10 points.
Inflation Data and Trade Deal Impact
Wednesday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation rose less than expected in May, with the headline figure increasing 0.1% month-over-month versus the anticipated 0.2%. Year-over-year, CPI rose 2.4%, while core CPI (excluding food and energy) climbed 2.9%.
The softer inflation data has bolstered expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts later this year, helping to support bond prices. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note dropped to 4.91%, while the 2-year yield fell below 3.95%.
Market participants are also digesting details of the U.S.-China trade agreement announced Wednesday. President Trump confirmed that tariffs on Chinese goods will remain at 55% – a figure that includes the 25% tariffs from the previous administration plus the 30% tariffs introduced this year. Some investors had hoped for lower levies, which may have contributed to Wednesday’s late-session pullback.
“The market was hoping for a more substantial reduction in tariffs,” noted market strategist Thomas Essaye of Sevens Report Research. “This essentially confirms that the 55% tariff level on Chinese goods is here to stay for the foreseeable future.”
Premarket Movers and Earnings Watch
Among premarket movers today, Intel Corporation (INTC) continues to face pressure after tumbling 6.3% on Wednesday. The chipmaker’s struggles have weighed on the broader semiconductor sector.
Several companies are scheduled to report earnings before the opening bell today. America’s Car-Mart (CRMT) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.87 per share, representing a substantial 1350% increase compared to the same quarter last year. The Lovesac Company (LOVE) is projected to post a loss of $0.84 per share, while Hooker Furnishings Corporation (HOFT) is expected to report a loss of $0.16 per share, an improvement from the year-ago period.
Sector Performance and Market Outlook
Energy stocks have shown relative strength, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) rising 1.5% on Wednesday as U.S. commercial crude oil inventories decreased by 3.6 million barrels for the week ended June 6. Materials and Consumer Discretionary sectors were the weakest performers yesterday, falling 1% and 0.8%, respectively.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), often referred to as the “fear gauge,” increased 1.8% to 17.26 on Wednesday, suggesting slightly elevated market anxiety.
Economic Data and Events to Watch
Investors will be watching for the weekly jobless claims report due at 8:30 a.m. ET, which could provide further insights into the labor market’s health. Additionally, several Federal Reserve officials are scheduled to speak throughout the day, with their comments likely to be scrutinized for hints about the future path of monetary policy.
The markets today will also be monitoring any developments regarding the implementation of the new trade agreement with China and its potential impact on corporate earnings and consumer prices.
As market news today continues to develop, traders will be balancing positive signals from cooling inflation against concerns about global trade tensions and their potential impact on economic growth in the coming quarters.