Stock market today: US futures flat with Asian markets mixed on Japanese GDP contraction

May 16, 2025
stock-market-today:-us-futures-flat-with-asian-markets-mixed-on-japanese-gdp-contraction

US stock futures traded flat after a mixed day on Wall Street as relief over easing trade tensions gave way to fresh concern about the economic impact of President Trump’s tariffs.

Futures attached to the Dow Jones Industrial Average (YM=F), the benchmark S&P 500 (ES=F) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) all inched up 0.1%

CBOT – Delayed Quote USD

As of 2:12:26 AM EDT. Market Open.

YM=F ES=F NQ=F

Stocks fluctuated on Thursday as Walmart (WMT) earnings took center stage with the retail giant warning of ‘unavoidable’ price hikes due to Trump’s tariffs. New economic data also showed slowing retail sales yet falling wholesale inflation in April as Trump’s trade policy settled in.

Asia-Pacific stocks traded mixed as they opened overnight as investors digested Japan’s surprise GDP contraction while bracing for a wave of key economic releases across the region, including speculation on extended tariffs impacting China.

On Friday, investors will get another clue as to how Americans are handling the arrival of tariffs with the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey. A release of the report earlier this month showed declining sentiment and soaring inflation expectations.

Read more: The latest on Trump’s tariffs

Wall Street is ending the week in a very different place than it began given the US and China agreed to rollback tariffs on Monday. Investors will continue to stay vigilant for the next major development on trade as Wall Street’s optimism over relaxed tariffs gives way to the reality that many duties remain in place and their impact on the economy remains uncertain.

LIVE 1 update

  • Asian markets mixed as Japanese economy shrinks more than expected

    Asia-Pacific equities opened mixed with investors digesting weaker-than-expected GDP data from Japan and bracing for a fresh wave of regional economic indicators.

    Japan’s economy contracted an annualized 0.7% for Jan-March, worse than the 0.2% decline forecast by economists surveyed by Reuters.

    The Nikkei 225 (^N225) edged down 0.5% following the drop in GDP.

    South Korea’s Kospi (^KS11) traded flat despite a semiconductor boon in the region.

    Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 (^AXJO) advanced 0.8%, buoyed by strength in the mining sector as iron ore prices held firm above $120/ton.

    In Hong Kong the Hang Seng Index (^HSI) opened 200 or 0.9% down from previous close as sentiment remains cautious ahead of China’s monthly activity data due next week.

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