United States stock futures edged higher on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT) after Wall Street endured its sharpest daily losses in more than three months, as investors weighed a busy earnings calendar against heightened geopolitical and trade tensions.
By 10:40 am AEDT (11:40 pm GMT), Dow futures, S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures were each up around 0.1%.
In extended trading, Netflix shares fell 4.9% despite the streaming giant reporting a narrow earnings beat. The company posted fourth-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of 56 cents, just ahead of market expectations of 55 cents, while revenue came in at US$12.05 billion, topping forecasts of $11.97 billion.
Netflix said global paid subscriptions rose to 325 million by the end of the period, marking a fresh milestone.
Interactive Brokers shares slipped 1.3% despite the brokerage reported adjusted fourth-quarter EPS of 65 cents, comfortably above estimates of 59 cents.
Zions Bancorp also rose 1.3% in after-hours trading, supported by stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings and net interest income. The regional lender reported EPS of $1.76 for the fourth quarter, beating forecasts of $1.57.
United Airlines jumped 3.7% deals after forecasting record earnings in 2026, citing robust travel demand in recent weeks. The airline expects adjusted EPS between $12 and $14 this year, broadly in line with the $13.16 expected.
During the regular session, U.S. equities sold off sharply as President Donald Trump escalated tariff threats linked to Greenland ahead of his scheduled appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.8%, while the S&P 500 declined about 2.1%. Technology stocks led the losses, pushing the Nasdaq Composite down 2.4%.
All three major indexes recorded their worst daily performances since 10 October.
The sell-off was accompanied by a sharp move in bond markets, with U.S. Treasury yields jumping and the US dollar weakening as investors cut exposure to American assets.
The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield surged and briefly topped 4.3% during the session.
Trump on Tuesday doubled down on his efforts to acquire Greenland, threatening to impose 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne after French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly declined to participate in Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” on Gaza.
Over the weekend, Trump said imports from eight NATO members would face escalating tariffs until an agreement was reached on the “Complete and Total purchase of Greenland”. The levies are set to begin at 10% on 1 February and rise to 25% on 1 June.
Adding to market unease, Danish pension fund AkademikerPension said it was exiting its roughly $100 million position in U.S. Treasurys, citing concerns over U.S. government debt.
The decision comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Denmark, with European leaders reportedly considering counter-tariffs and other economic measures in response to Trump’s threats.
Investors are now turning their focus to a heavy slate of corporate earnings, which many hope will help stabilise markets. Johnson & Johnson, Halliburton and Travelers are among the companies due to report on Wednesday.
