U.S. stock futures were notably higher on Friday, the first trading day of 2026, after Wall Street capped a third straight year of gains in 2025, navigating tariff disputes, the longest government shutdown in history, geopolitical tensions, and concerns over central bank independence. Sentiment improved after President Donald Trump issued a New Year’s Eve proclamation postponing higher tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities for a year, citing ongoing trade talks. The administration further signaled it may withdraw a proposed 107% tariff on Italian pasta, easing fears of escalating frictions. Among single stocks, Nvidia closed 2025 as one of the market’s top performers, buoyed by strong demand for AI chips. Investors now await next week’s payrolls for labor market signals and look to the Federal Reserve, with Trump expected to name Jerome Powell’s successor early this year, fueling speculation of a dovish policy shift.
