Investing.com - U.S. stock futures pointed down on Thursday, with traders assessing minutes from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting in January. Markets are also gearing up for the release of key quarterly figures from Walmart (NYSE:WMT), which could provide a fresh glimpse into the health of the U.S. consumer. Elsewhere, Mercedes Benz (ETR:MBGn) (OTC:MBGAF) shares dip as the German automaker eyes a cost-cutting drive and gives a downbeat financial outlook for the current year.
1. Futures lower
U.S. stock futures edged lower on Thursday as investors looked ahead to crucial earnings from big-box retailer Walmart and digested minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting.
By 03:31 ET (08:31 GMT), the Dow futures contract had inched down by 101 points or 0.2%, S&P 500 futures had slid by 19 points or 0.3%, and Nasdaq 100 futures had fallen by 89 points or 0.4%.
The main averages on Wall Street ended higher on Wednesday, with the benchmark S&P 500 in particular logging both an all-time high and record closing peak. Along with the Fed minutes (more below), U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats and the prospect of a potential deal to halt the war in Ukraine were swirling around markets.
In individual shares, Analog Devices (NASDAQ:ADI) surged by 9.7% after the semiconductor firm delivered better-than-expected first-quarter results and an upbeat financial outlook.
Meanwhile, shares in Nikola (NASDAQ:NKLA) slumped by 39.1% after the electric truck manufacturer announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Chemicals group Celanese (NYSE:CE) also dropped sharply on a quarterly loss.
2. Fed minutes
The Federal Reserve flagged worries that Trump’s policy actions could refuel price growth in the U.S., according to minutes from the central bank’s latest meeting.
At the January 28-29 gathering, Fed rate-setters left borrowing costs unchanged at a range of 4.25% to 4.5%, partly citing fears around the inflationary impact of Trump’s plans to implement sweeping tariffs and crack down on migrant flows into the U.S.
Officials widely raised concerns around the possible "upside risks" to inflation, which currently lingers above the Fed’s 2% target level, the minutes released on Wednesday showed.
"[P]articipants cited the possible effects of potential changes in trade and immigration policy, the potential for geopolitical developments to disrupt supply chains, or stronger-than-expected household spending," the minutes said.
Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic later told Yahoo Finance that many businesses have indicated that they would pass on the costs of Trump’s import tariffs to consumers, although they are not sure how customers will respond.
3. Walmart earnings ahead
Walmart is due to report its earnings prior the opening bell on Wall Street, in one of the most highly-anticipated quarterly reports of the week.
Analysts are especially keen to hear how the ubiquitous chain that offers everything from retail goods to groceries views the state of the U.S. consumer during the early months of 2025.
Economic data has shown a decline in monthly retail sales, while a recent consumer sentiment survey for February unexpectedly declined. The figures, along with a hotter-than-expected inflation reading for January, suggested that shoppers may be wary of the impact Trump’s policy moves could be having on their purchasing power.
Arkansas-based Walmart is tipped to post adjusted per-share income of $0.65 for the fourth quarter, as well as revenue of $180.21 billion, according to Bloomberg consensus estimates.
The group is also expected to guide for current-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $0.65 and $2.77 for its 2026 fiscal year.
4. Mercedes-Benz reports
Shares in Mercedes-Benz were lower in early European trading on Thursday after the German carmaking giant outlined a plan to turn around its operations in the wake of weak annual returns.
The company said it would push to cut more costs to help boost sales and margins following a 40% decrease in profit at its key car unit in 2024. Heavy competition in China and tepid demand in Europe dented performance at the unit.
These headwinds have been compounded by rising pressure from possible U.S. tariffs. Last week, Trump said he intends to roll out new auto tariffs "in the neighborhood of 25%" as soon as April 2, a move that Germany’s car lobby criticized as a "provocation."
The levies, along with an impending tightening in carbon emissions standards in Europe, contributed to a dour outlook for Mercedes-Benz’s current year. Annual group-wide earnings are seen coming in well below the prior year.
5. Gold briefly touches record high
Gold prices rose in Asian trade on Thursday, briefly hitting a record high as safe-haven demand was somewhat underpinned by Trump’s threats to impose more trade tariffs.
But gains in the yellow metal were stymied by some resilience in the dollar, following perceived hawkish signals from the Fed minutes.
Elsewhere, oil prices hovered around the flatline, easing back from a near a one-week high in the prior session, after an industry report suggested an increase in U.S. crude stockpiles.