US Stock Market Today S&P 500 Futures Edge Lower As Mixed Growth Signals Weigh

The Morning Bull - US Market Morning Update Tuesday, Mar, 24 2026

US stock futures are slightly softer this morning, with key contracts on the S&P 500 and Dow fractionally in the red, as investors weigh mixed global growth signals against stubborn cost pressures. In Europe, Germany's manufacturing PMI sits at 51.7 and France's composite PMI at 48.3, sending a split message where factory activity in one major economy holds up while its neighbor struggles. At the same time, US data shows construction spending down 0.3% and a key Chicago Fed activity index at -0.11, hinting at slower momentum. The question now is whether cost sensitive areas such as consumer and industrial stocks, or more defensive sectors such as utilities and real estate funds, end up setting the tone for today's US session.

With growth signals pulling in different directions, use 74 resilient stocks with low risk scores to focus on sturdier names before volatility rises.

Top Movers

• Fabrinet (FN) jumped 7.94% after commentary highlighted growth in its operating performance.
• AngloGold Ashanti (AU) gained 7.01%.
• Albemarle (ALB) rose 6.93%.

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Top Losers

• Estée Lauder Companies (EL) declined 7.72% after confirming talks on a potential business combination with Puig Brands.
• Bloom Energy (BE) declined 5.86%.
• Fair Isaac (FICO) declined 5.70%.

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On The Radar

Corporate earnings from services focused names take the spotlight, with limited scheduled US data over the next few sessions.

• Business Services Earnings: Paychex (PAYX) reports Q3 results before the market opens on Wednesday, highlighting demand trends in payroll and HR outsourcing.
• Uniforms and Facilities: Cintas (CTAS) posts Q3 numbers on Wednesday, providing an update on cost control and contract retention across its customer base.
• China Ecommerce: PDD Holdings (PDD) delivers Q4 results before the market opens on Wednesday, giving another read on cross border consumer and pricing trends.
• Biopharma Earnings: BeOne Medicines (BEMD) reports full year 2025 figures on Wednesday afternoon, with a focus on R&D spending and cash runway.
• Corporate Governance: Starbucks (SBUX) holds its AGM on Wednesday, with votes on director elections, auditor ratification and executive compensation.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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