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KB Home ( KBH ) falls after downbeat annual revenue forecast

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Consumer confidence data for March due at 10 a.m. ET

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CrowdStrike ( CRWD ) gains after brokerage rating

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Futures up: Dow 0.22%, S&P 500 0.28%, Nasdaq 0.26%

By Pranav Kashyap, Johann M Cherian

March 25 (Reuters) -

Wall Street's main indexes were prepared to open slightly

higher on Tuesday as investors assessed implications of

impending reciprocal tariffs on the heels of U.S. President

Donald Trump's subtle indication of potential leniency in his

trade policy approach.

Trump on Monday,

suggested that

not all proposed levies would be enforced by April 2, with

some countries potentially receiving exemptions-a gesture

perceived by Wall Street as a strategic flexibility amid ongoing

market turbulence.

The benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-centric Nasdaq

reached their highest marks in over two weeks, buoyed by

a robust rally in megacap stocks such as Nvidia ( NVDA ) and

Tesla.

However, the looming uncertainty surrounding Trump's tariff

strategy weighed on market sentiment. Reports also emerged

regarding a potential two-step tariff plan under consideration

for next week.

"It is positive (Trump's latest tariff stance) .. but one thing

for sure is that volatility will continue. We wouldn't make any

major sectoral allocations based on the tariff narrative that is

coming from the U.S. until at least April 2," said Lale Akoner,

lead global market analyst at eToro.

Tesla shares gained 1.8% in premarket trading, building

upon a substantial 12% rally from the previous day.

Despite a general rise in electric vehicle registrations

across Europe, data for February revealed a year-on-year

contraction in Tesla's market share, marking the second

consecutive month of declining sales.

KB Home's ( KBH ) shares fell 6.8% as the homebuilder cut its

full-year 2025 revenue forecast.

At 08:50 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were up 93 points, or

0.22%, S&P 500 E-minis were up 16 points, or 0.28% and

Nasdaq 100 E-minis were up 53.5 points, or 0.26%.

Restricting stock gains, yields on Treasury notes edged

higher, with the 10-year benchmark reaching a

one-month peak.

Fed Governor Adriana Kugler

said

that the central bank's interest rate policy remains

restrictive, but progress on bringing inflation back to the

central bank's 2% target has slowed.

A cascade of economic indicators is set to be released this

week, including the March consumer confidence report due at

10:00 a.m ET on Tuesday.

Forecasts suggest a further decline in consumer sentiment,

following February's eight-month low.

The most anticipated release remains Friday's personal

consumption expenditures price index, the Fed's preferred

inflation gauge. Consensus forecasts predict it will hold

steady, yet remain above the Fed's 2% target.

Among others, McCormick & Company ( MKC ) dropped 3.4% after the

food processing company missed estimates on quarterly profit.

CrowdStrike ( CRWD ) gained 2% after brokerage BTIG raised

its rating on the cybersecurity company to "buy" from "neutral",

while Ally Financial ( ALLY ) fell 2.6% as BTIG lowered its

rating on the financial services company to "sell" from

"neutral".