5 Important Facts to Be Aware of Before the Stock Market Begins Trading

U.S. Stock Futures Point Higher as Second Quarter Begins with Strong Momentum

As global markets were closed for the Easter Monday holiday, U.S. stock futures were pointing higher to kick off the second quarter after a strong first quarter performance. The first quarter of 2022 marked the best start to a year for U.S. stocks since 2019, setting a positive tone for investors moving forward.

Market participants are eagerly awaiting manufacturing data that are expected to show robust factory activity, providing insights into the health of the U.S. economy. The Institute for Supply Management’s Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) and a U.S. manufacturing index from S&P Global are both set to be released today, with expectations of positive growth.

In other news, online fast-fashion giant Shein has reportedly more than doubled its profits, surpassing $2 billion, as it awaits regulatory approval to list in either New York or London. The company’s success comes amidst a challenging environment for Chinese companies seeking listings in the U.S. following regulatory crackdowns.

Meanwhile, the Senate is reportedly planning to rework a bill aimed at forcing a sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S. to make it more difficult to overturn. Lawmakers are considering adjustments to the legislation to address concerns about potential legal challenges from TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.

On the corporate front, AT&T shares are lower after the company disclosed a data breach that leaked millions of customers’ personal details onto the dark web. The telecom giant is investigating the breach, which is believed to have affected both current and former accounts.

In the electric vehicle market, Tesla has raised prices for its Model Y car in China, prompting domestic rivals to respond with price cuts and incentives to attract customers. The competitive landscape in the EV market continues to evolve as companies vie for market share and consumer interest.

Overall, gold is extending its record highs on hopes of Fed rate cuts, while bitcoin remains just below $70,000. Investors will be closely monitoring these developments as they navigate the financial landscape in the second quarter of 2022.