Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Investors Hub
The major U.S. index futures are pointing to a roughly flat opening on Thursday following the rally seen in the previous session.
Traders may be reluctant to make any significant moves amid easing concerns about the political situation in Italy but continued worries about President Donald Trump?s moves on trade.
A report from CNBC said Trump is likely to re-impose steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union later in the day.
Stocks rallied on Wednesday, trimming significant losses from the previous session thanks to bargain hunting.
With traders betting that the effects of political turmoil in Italy on the euro zone are manageable, markets found their footing.
Rebounding crude oil prices also helped, as gains were recorded across the energy sector.
The Dow Jones Industrial Index rose 1.3%, the S&P 500 added 1.3% and the Nasdaq Composite picked up 0.9%.
On the U.S. economic front, payroll processor ADP released a report showing private sector employment increased by slightly less than expected in the month of May.
ADP said private sector employment climbed by 178,000 jobs in May after rising by a downwardly revised 163,000 jobs in April.
Economists had expected employment to increase by 190,000 jobs compared to the jump of 204,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month.
The Federal Reserve said today that U.S. economic activity expanded moderately in late April and early May with few shifts in the pattern of growth.
