U.S. Stock Futures Rise Following Record Highs

U.S. stock futures are rising, buoyed by the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching new all-time highs, attributed to strong investor sentiment and positive job market indicators. President-elect Donald Trump's selection of Scott Bessent for Treasury Secretary has contributed to the optimism, with futures up 0.6%. The Federal Reserve's easing cycle and anticipated interest rate cuts are expected to support further market growth, while recent GDP predictions suggest a positive economic outlook. Additionally, geopolitical concerns in France and South Korea seem contained, allowing traders to focus on U.S. economic data. Stocks like Salesforce and Palantir saw significant gains following strong earnings reports, while others like Foot Locker faced declines due to lowered forecasts. The market remains vigilant ahead of Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech, which could provide insights into monetary policy.