S&P 500: Futures seek clear directions below 3,350 amid mixed catalysts

• S&P 500 Futures stay positive despite the initial pullback from 3,347.
• Fears of escalating Sino-American tension, coronavirus woes confront stimulus hopes.
• China inflation data decorates calendar, risk catalysts to remain as the key drivers.

S&P 500 Futures extend the latest bounce from 3,335 to 3,342 amid Monday’s Asian session. Even so, the risk barometer prints 0.06% losses on a day as traders struggle for firm guidance.

Although heating tension between the US and China joins the coronavirus (COVID-19) woes to challenge the market sentiment, recent measures from the US keep hopes of further stimulus alive and challenge the risk-off mood.

Following Friday’s banning of WeChat and TikTok, not to forget sanctions on the Hong Kong Leader Carry Liam, Trump administration alleges China to meddle the US Presidential election. As per Reuters, White House National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said that Chinese government-linked hackers have been targeting US election infrastructure ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

On the other hand, US President Donald Trump recently said, “Democrats have called and want to get together.” This means the two main political parties of America will restart the stimulus talks that died during the last week. This even could be traced from President Trump’s signing of four executive orders to release unemployment claim benefits, help with student loans and those living in a rented house.

Elsewhere, Australia’s Victoria marks the biggest single-day jump in deaths due to the COVID-19. As per the ABC News published before a few minutes, “Australia’s coronavirus death toll hits 314 as Victoria announces a daily record of 19 deaths and 322 new cases in the past 24 hours.”

It’s should be noted that the market lacks momentum as Japanese traders are off due to Mountain Day. Even so, stocks in Australia and New Zealand are mildly positive by press time.

Moving on, China’s headlines inflation data for July will be the immediate catalyst to watch. However, major attention will be given to the US traders’ reaction to the latest change in the US-China tussle and American stimulus news.