U.S. stock index futures were lower on Wednesday on fresh uncertainty over U.S.-China trade talks and ahead of a Federal Reserve report that would be watched for cues on pace of future interest rate hikes.
Earlier optimism of trade talks progressing reversed on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was not pleased with recent trade talks between the United States and China and also raised doubts about the upcoming North Korea summit.
The comments tempered expectations that the United States and China would be able to avert a damaging global trade war.
The Federal Reserve’s May meeting minutes, scheduled for release at 2:00 p.m. ET, will be scrutinized for indications of how many rate hikes are likely this year.
The U.S. central bank lifted borrowing costs in March and policymakers are split between those who expect another two rate hikes this year and those who forecast three, in the backdrop of low unemployment, moderate growth and rising inflation.
At 7:28 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis 1YMc1 were down 182 points, or 0.73 percent. S&P 500 e-minis ESc1 were down 16.5 points, or 0.61 percent and Nasdaq 100 e-minis NQc1 were down 64.5 points, or 0.93 percent.
Target (TGT.N) sank 5.6 percent after the retailer’s quarterly profit rose less than expected as increasing investments dented margins.
Tiffany (TIF.N) jumped 11.7 percent after the jeweler’s quarterly results blew past estimates and the company also raised its full-year profit forecast and announced a $1 billion share buyback program.
On the economic front, new home sales numbers for April are expected to fall to 679,000 units, from 694,000 units the month before. The data is expected at 10 a.m. ET.
SOURCE: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-stocks/u-s-stock-futures-dip-as-trumps-comments-spark-trade-talk-uncertainty-idUSKCN1IO1N5
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