[New York Pre-Market Check] Tech Stocks Strengthen including Nvidia…Uncertainty Over Tariffs and Interest Rates

# Key Issues Ahead of Market Opening **New York (Park Jaehyung)** - Ahead of market opening on Thursday, York traders review several key issues. # Tech Stocks Surge: Nvidia Leads the Way U.S. stock index futures showed a decline. The previous day's market saw a mixed performance, bolstered by gains in technology stocks. The S&P 500 index rose 0.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 1.2%, driven by strong performance from Nvidia and Palantir Technologies. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.2%, marking its third consecutive day of losses. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February, released today, recorded a lower-than-expected rise, increasing 0.2% on a monthly basis and 2.8% year-over-year, indicating some easing of inflationary pressures. This could potentially alleviate concerns about economic slowdown and inflation. # Tariff and Interest Rate Impact Uncertain While some investors are hopeful for a technical rebound amidst market adjustments, analysts suggest that a substantial recovery might be challenging without further easing of inflation. President Trump's trade policies continue to weigh on market sentiment and are likely to influence future Federal Reserve interest rate decisions. Scott Helfstein, head of investment strategy at Global X, noted, “While the next Federal Reserve move is likely to be a rate cut, the impact of tariffs is uncertain, making it difficult to predict with certainty.” He added, “The key issue is whether tariffs will have a larger impact on economic growth or prices. Bond markets have recently signaled greater concerns about economic slowdown, with three rate cuts expected this year.” # Changes in U.S. Cryptocurrency Policies Anticipated Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, anticipates that changes in U.S. cryptocurrency regulations will influence global regulatory trends. In an interview with CNBC, he stated, “We are moving away from regulatory uncertainty and a somewhat hostile climate, into an era where the world's largest economy, the U.S., signals its intention to embrace cryptocurrency.” Teng explained that policy shifts in the U.S. could spur changes in global regulatory agencies, with other nations likely to follow suit if the U.S. adopts a more accommodating stance on cryptocurrency. The industry is closely watching whether U.S. policy changes will lead to regulatory easing in other major economies. # Index Futures Decline According to CNBC data, Dow Jones futures were down 0.23%, Nasdaq futures were down 0.50%, and S&P 500 futures fell 0.33%. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.13% to 103.74, the 10-year Treasury yield increased by 2.1 basis points to 4.336%, and WTI crude futures declined 0.41% to $67.40 per barrel.