US stock futures rose slightly on Friday (July 18) after the S&P 500 closed at a record high in the previous session, with major indexes on pace to end the week in positive territory. Futures tied to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 each ticked up 0.

Stock futures are slightly higher Friday morning as the market looks to close out the first week of earnings-reporting season on a high note.

US Stock market today ended higher as the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all posted modest gains amid upbeat earnings reports and a surprise jump in retail sales. Investors are cautiously optimistic despite political tension as President Trump continues pressuring Fed Chair Jerome Powell over interest rate cuts.

Stocks were taken on a wild ride Wednesday as a White House official indicated to CNBC that Trump was moving closer to firing Powell from his post as Fed Chair.

NASDAQ rebounded from session lows and moved higher after Trump denied he planned to fire Powell. ASML, which was down by 8%, was the worst performer in the NASDAQ index today. The stock suffered a sell-off as the company cut 2026 growth outlook due to tariffs.

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US stock market started the week on a weak note as Dow Jones fell 160 points after President Donald Trump announced fresh tariffs on 14 countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Bangladesh. The market dip deepened as Tesla shares plunged 7% following Elon Musks America Party announcement.

SP500 moved above the 6300 level as traders focused on the better-than-expected Retail Sales data. NASDAQ managed to climb above the 23,000 level. Dow Jones settled above the 44,500 level. SP500 tests new highs as traders focus on economic reports.

The Dow Jones and other key indexes pulled off lows after President Donald Trump denied reports he planned to fire the head of the Federal Reserve. ASML stock plunged on this warning.