02.01.202607:39:20UTC+00U.S. Futures Rise on New Year Optimism

U.S. stock futures rose significantly on Friday, marking the first trading session of 2026. This upswing follows Wall Street's continued growth, as the market navigated through challenges including tariff disputes, the longest government shutdown on record, geopolitical tensions, and concerns about central bank autonomy. Market confidence improved after President Donald Trump announced a New Year’s Eve decision to delay the increase of tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities for another year, pointing to ongoing trade negotiations. The administration also indicated a potential withdrawal of the proposed 107% tariff on Italian pasta, alleviating worries of heightened conflicts. In the stock market, Nvidia emerged as one of the top performers in 2025, driven by robust demand for AI chips. Investors are now focused on upcoming payroll data for insights into the labor market, while anticipating President Trump's forthcoming nomination of Jerome Powell’s successor at the Federal Reserve. This decision is expected early in the year and is generating speculation about a possible shift towards more dovish monetary policies.