US stock futures inch higher as rate-driven rout eases

Investing.com-- U.S. stock index futures rose slightly in evening deals on Tuesday, as Wall Street appeared to be steadying after fears of higher-for-longer interest rates sparked a series of steep losses. 

But risk appetite remained fragile, especially as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East persisted, while top Federal Reserve officials also reiterated the central bank’s outlook on steady interest rates. 

S&P 500 Futures rose 0.2% to 5,103.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.2% to 17,924.50 points by 19:37 ET (23:37 GMT). Dow Jones Futures rose 0.2% to 38,125.0 points. 

Wall St clocks mixed close as Powell signals less confidence to cut 

Wall Street indexes marked a mixed close on Tuesday, as some positive earnings were largely offset by Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaling that recent signs of sticky inflation gave the central bank less confidence to cut interest rates early.

Powell’s comments came following hotter-than-expected inflation and retail sales readings for March, which indicated that inflation was likely to remain well above levels the Fed was comfortable with. This also saw traders largely price out expectations for a June rate cut. 

The S&P 500 fell 0.2% to 5,051.41 points, while the NASDAQ Composite fell 0.1% to finish at 15,865.25 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was the sole gainer among its peers, rising 0.2% to 37,798.97 points on strength in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), after the insurer clocked strong first-quarter earnings. 

Wall Street also appeared to be stabilizing after sinking between 1.5% and 2.3% over the past five sessions, as worsening risk appetite saw investors lock-in recent profits. 

Markets were rattled by a worsening crisis in the Middle East, after Iran launched a drone and missile strike against Israel, while the latter was now seen preparing a response. 

Tech gains offer some support 

Gains in major technology stocks offered some support to Wall Street on Tuesday. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)- the biggest stock on Wall Street- rose 0.2% after it said it will invest $1.5 billion in Abu Dhabi AI firm G42. Microsoft also rose 0.4% in after-hours trading. 

The news sparked some gains in other AI-linked stocks, with market darling NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) up 0.6% in aftermarket trade, following a 1.6% gain during the session. 

Earnings season continues 

Some positive first-quarter earnings reports also helped support sentiment. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) rose 0.2% in aftermarket trade after clocking a stronger-than-expected quarterly profit.

UnitedHealth rose 0.2% after surging 5.3% on strong earnings. 

The earnings season is set to continue on Wednesday with Dutch chipmaking major ASML Holding (AS:ASML) NV (NASDAQ:ASML) and healthcare giant Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) on tap.