Dow Jones futures edge higher after tariff U-turn; GDP and PCE inflation data ahead

Dow Jones futures edge higher after tariff U-turn; GDP and PCE inflation data ahead

New York, Jan 22, 2026, 06:08 ET — Premarket

Dow Jones futures rose 61 points in early premarket action, hinting at a subdued start following a volatile two-day stretch for U.S. stocks. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures edged up as well, with investors focused on Washington updates and the upcoming economic data.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 588.64 points, or 1.21%, to close at 49,077.23 on Wednesday. The jump came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that tariffs set for Feb. 1 would be halted, citing a framework for a Greenland deal. “The economic impact is whether we all start imposing tariffs on each other,” said Jason Pride, chief of investment strategy & research at Glenmede. Reuters

That whiplash sets the scene. In trading circles, the nickname “TACO” — short for “Trump Always Chickens Out” — is gaining ground as investors try to guess if tariff threats will hold or fall away. Markets also stay jittery over larger battles in Washington, including a probe involving Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Reuters

Thursday kicks off with key data releases. At 8:30 a.m. ET, the Bureau of Economic Analysis will roll out its updated third-quarter 2025 GDP estimate alongside revised corporate profits. Then, at 10:00 a.m. ET, personal income and outlays for October and November 2025 arrive, featuring the closely monitored PCE price index.

Jobless claims arrive at 8:30 a.m. ET. The Labor Department usually posts its weekly figures Thursday mornings, with economists expecting 209,000 initial claims this time around.

Earnings will move the market today. Procter & Gamble reports before the bell, with analysts expecting $1.86 a share. Later, traders will parse results and outlooks from firms including GE Aerospace and Capital One.

In the Dow, individual stock swings pack more punch than in market-cap weighted indexes. Since it’s price-weighted, shares with higher prices wield greater influence. The index’s level is worked out using a divisor that gets tweaked for splits and corporate moves.

Several Dow stocks have set the tone early. Travelers topped Wall Street profit forecasts this week, buoyed by stronger underwriting and investment income. CEO Alan Schnitzer expressed he’s “highly confident” in the firm’s outlook. The insurer’s combined ratio fell to 82.2%, indicating it collected more in premiums than it paid in claims and expenses. Reuters

But tariffs remain the wildcard. Trump’s sudden shift on Greenland lifted sentiment, though he shared scant details on any framework deal — leaving traders wary of fresh headline-driven swings.

Following Thursday’s batch of data and earnings, all eyes turn to the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting on Jan. 27-28. Traders are eager for any hint of a change in the Fed’s rate outlook after a week marked by political noise and volatile sentiment.

Shan Ahmed Khan

Shan Ahmed Khan is a senior markets reporter at TS2.tech, specializing in stocks, technology and macroeconomic trends. A graduate of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), he previously worked in investment research and market analysis. His coverage helps readers understand the key developments influencing global financial markets and emerging industries.

AI PORTFOLIO

Top Stock Picks

Today’s highest-ranked model selections.

#1 STRONG BUY

Taiwan Semiconductor

NYSE: TSM 96 / 100
#2 BUY

AerCap

NYSE: AER 95 / 100
#3 BUY ON PULLBACK

Constellation Energy

NASDAQ: CEG 93 / 100
#4 BUY

Walt Disney

NYSE: DIS 90 / 100
#5 ACCUMULATE

American International Group

NYSE: AIG 87 / 100
View full portfolio
Editorial model selection. Not personalised advice.
ASX 200 rebounds as jobs surprise lifts RBA hike bets; Santos leads energy
Previous Story

ASX 200 rebounds as jobs surprise lifts RBA hike bets; Santos leads energy

Gold price today: Bullion slips from record highs as dollar firms and U.S. inflation data looms
Next Story

Gold price today: Bullion slips from record highs as dollar firms and U.S. inflation data looms