U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Investors Monitor Trump’s Policies; Netflix Rallies on Strong Q4 Results
U.S. stock index futures ticked upward on Tuesday evening following gains on Wall Street, as investors evaluated the impact of President Donald Trump’s policy agenda. Netflix shares, meanwhile, soared after-hours on robust quarterly performance.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.2% to 6,096.25 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures climbed 0.5% to 21,810.35 points as of 18:58 ET (23:58 GMT). Dow Jones Futures remained relatively flat at 44,238.0 points.
Optimism in Markets as Trump Avoids Day-One Tariffs
On January 20, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States, ushering in an administration promising significant shifts in economic and trade policies.
In his inaugural address, Trump highlighted his commitment to “Make America Great Again,” focusing on economic revitalization, strengthening national security, and reducing reliance on globalization in favor of domestic priorities.
Immediately after taking office, Trump began implementing his campaign promises through a series of executive orders. Markets were reassured as he refrained from imposing broad tariffs on his first day, though he mentioned considering the move.
One notable order established a new Department of Government Efficiency, to be led by Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk.
Netflix Shares Surge on Record Q4 Performance
Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) shares jumped over 14% in after-hours trading to $993.99 after the company reported an exceptional 19 million new subscriber additions in Q4 2024, significantly exceeding Wall Street estimates.
The subscriber surge was driven by a slate of blockbuster content releases, including critically acclaimed new seasons, original films, and regionally tailored programming that resonated with diverse global audiences.
Netflix Revenue Climbs as Subscription Prices Set to Increase
Netflix reported quarterly revenue of $9.5 billion, an 8% increase year-over-year, with net income rising 12% to $915 million.
The company also announced plans to raise subscription prices across multiple tiers in the U.S., Canada, Portugal, and Argentina, attributing the move to heightened investments in content production.
Wall Street Rallies on Trump Optimism
U.S. stock markets closed higher, driven by optimism around President Trump’s administration. Analysts predict near-term volatility as Trump’s policies unfold but anticipate a strong market rally during his first year in office.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.2% to close at 44,025.81 points, the S&P 500 advanced 0.9% to 6,049.24 points, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.6% to 19,756.7 points.
Trump Unveils $500 Billion AI Initiative
President Trump announced a $500 billion joint venture, dubbed “Stargate,” aimed at developing large-scale AI data centers and energy facilities in Texas over the next four years.
The collaboration involves major tech players, including OpenAI, Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL), SoftBank Group Corp. (TYO:9984), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), and NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA).
Oracle shares surged 7.7%, while Microsoft and Nvidia saw gains in extended trading.
Upcoming Earnings Reports
General Electric’s energy spinoff, GE Vernova LLC (NYSE:GEV), will release its quarterly earnings on Wednesday. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) are also set to report their results the same day.
