U.S. Stock Futures Rise as White House Mediates Musk-Trump Dispute
U.S. stock index futures posted modest gains during Asian trading on Friday, following a volatile Thursday session marked by a sharp sell-off in Tesla $TSLA shares. The recovery comes amid reports that the White House intervened to ease tensions between former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
According to Politico, White House officials organized a phone call between the two on Friday in an effort to de-escalate a feud that sent shockwaves through the tech sector and broader markets.
Musk-Trump Conflict Sends Shockwaves Through Markets
The clash between Trump and Musk escalated after Trump publicly threatened to cancel federal contracts with Musk-led firms, including SpaceX. Musk retaliated by criticizing Trump’s previous tax reforms, sparking widespread speculation about their deteriorating relationship.
Tesla Stock Takes a Hit
Tesla stock plunged more than 14% on Thursday
Over $150 billion in market value was wiped out
Shares rebounded 5% in after-hours trading following news of the scheduled phone call
Broader Market Impact
The tension didn’t just affect Tesla. It spilled into the entire tech sector and dragged down the major U.S. indexes:
S&P 500 fell 0.5% to 5,939.31
NASDAQ Composite lost 0.8% to 19,298.45
Dow Jones slipped 0.3% to 42,319.74
During Friday’s early Asian session, U.S. stock futures saw a slight recovery:
S&P 500 futures up 0.2% to 5,957.0
Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.1% to 21,596.25
Dow futures up 0.3% to 42,478.0
All Eyes on U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls Report
Investors are now closely watching the release of the U.S. nonfarm payrolls data for May, which is expected to provide key insights into the health of the labor market. The numbers follow a week of disappointing employment data:
Key Labor Market Indicators
Surge in weekly jobless claims
Weaker-than-expected ADP private payrolls
Signs of cooling in overall employment
These indicators suggest a slowing job market, raising questions about the Federal Reserve’s next move. While a softer labor market could support future Fed rate cuts, policymakers have signaled a cautious stance.
Market Sentiment: Between Politics and Economics
The market narrative is now shaped by an unusual mix of political drama and economic tension. The White House’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy signals concern over market stability, especially when public disputes between powerful figures like Musk and Trump can trigger billion-dollar swings.
Despite the uncertainty, the modest recovery in futures shows investor resilience, with sentiment fluctuating between fear and cautious optimism.
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