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US stock futures edged higher late Sunday evening as investors prepared for a packed week featuring earnings from prominent tech companies, a Federal Reserve meeting, inflation data, and President Trump's August 1 deadline to secure key trade deals.
The increase in futures reflected optimism about the upcoming period, which promises to be an exciting and potentially volatile one. Investors are eagerly anticipating the release of earnings reports from top tech companies, including Meta Platforms (MET) and Microsoft (MSFT), as well as significant inflation data and monetary policy updates.
Futures connected to the Dow Jones Industrial Average (YM=F) rose by about 0.4%, while S&P 500 futures (ES=F) also gained 0.4%. Nasdaq 100 futures (NQ=F), on the other hand, increased by 0.5%.
Market Open
As of 11:22 PM EDT.
Market Update The rally comes after a strong week on Wall Street, during which all three major indexes posted gains. Friday saw gains for each benchmark index as well - the S&P 500 completed at an all-time high for its fifth consecutive day.
Market sentiment was influenced positively last night by the US and European Union's agreement to reduce tariffs on EU goods from 30% to 15%. President Trump had previously threatened to impose the higher tariff rate, adding additional uncertainty to investors.
US-EU Deal The agreement between the US and the European Union aims at reducing tensions between two of America's largest trading partners. A favorable deal could ease concerns about future trade disruptions and contribute positively to market sentiment.
Investor attention is now focused on a busy week ahead for Wall Street, marked by significant events, including more than 150 S&P 500 companies reporting earnings - the season's most intense stretch.
Earnings Season Highlights
• Meta Platforms (MET) and Microsoft (MSFT): The tech giants will lead off this Wednesday • Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL): These top performers will report earnings on Thursday A full rundown of this week's coverage is available in our live blog, where investors can find comprehensive analysis of the latest market trends.
BEYOND EARNINGS, THE FED TAKES CENTER STAGE
Beyond corporate earnings reports, the Federal Reserve meeting will take center stage as the US central bank commences a two-day conference. The expected decision will be released on Wednesday afternoon.
Economic expectations indicate that interest rates are likely to remain in their current 4.25% - 4.5% range. However, investors will closely follow policymakers' signals for any indication of possible future shifts toward lowering interest rates - potentially, during September or beyond.
Market pressures President Trump has pressed Chair Jerome Powell and the Fed on several fronts recently, while ongoing legislative efforts seek to make Fed meeting minutes more accessible to investors through greater transparency.
DATA POINTS The focus will also shift towards economic data this week, with key releases scheduled for Thursday and Friday of the upcoming period. Thursday's personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index is expected to reflect a marginal increase in both monthly and annual readings - which serves as the central bank's preferred inflation gauge.
Labor market data: The spotlight falls on several jobs-related statistics: • Tuesday's JOLTS report will provide insight into month-over-month changes in labor market moves
• Wednesday's ADP non-manual payroll release
• Friday's July Employment Report delivers comprehensive numbers for both the monthly and annual employment trends.
Coming up next is our coverage of Monday, July 28, 2025, as investors get ready to take on the week head-on!
CONCLUSION
A potentially volatile period lies ahead for Wall Street investors, with strong interest in earnings reports from top technology companies, a US Federal Reserve meeting, significant inflation data releases, and key deadline looming by President Trump. Overall sentiment reflects optimism despite ongoing challenges and market pressures. With so much at stake, analysts closely track every development to guide their clients through the turmoil. In doing so, these experts help provide clarity for investors navigating unpredictable times like this.
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