Futures Fall as Trump Ukraine Meeting Looms

Markets brace for political talks while earnings and Fed signals shape early moves.

Futures Fall as Trump Ukraine Meeting Looms

U.S. stock futures were lower in premarket trading as President Donald Trump prepared to meet Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Washington. A previous meeting between Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended without a ceasefire or clear next steps, leaving investors to weigh the potential impact of diplomacy on inflation, energy supplies, and global trade. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell about 78 points, while S&P 500 futures edged down and Nasdaq 100 futures slipped modestly.

The week sets up as a test of whether markets respond more to politics or data. Traders fear that any sign of concessions could ease geopolitical risk, but the absence of concrete commitments keeps sentiment fragile. At the same time, the market will watch the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole conference for guidance on the path of policy, with rate-cut expectations playing a key role in risk assets’ mood. Earnings from Walmart, Target, and Lowe’s add another layer of uncertainty, highlighting consumer demand alongside supply chain resilience.

Highlights

Markets will be watching for tangible policy steps next week