08:57 AM EDT, 07/25/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were relatively flat ahead of Friday's opening bell as traders awaited fresh cues after fresh record closes for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.1%, S&P 500 futures were also 0.1% higher, while Nasdaq futures were flat.

Traders also digested recent remarks from President Donald Trump about downplaying tensions with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. During a visit to the Fed's headquarters on Thursday, Trump reportedly indicated he was not considering removing Powell from his position.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.3% at $69.39 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.3% higher at $66.24 per barrel.

The Durable Goods Orders bulletin, released at 8:30 am ET, showed a 9.3% monthly fall in new orders for durable goods in June following a 16.5% rise in the prior month, compared with estimates compiled by Bloomberg for a 10.7% decrease.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.9% lower, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 1.1% lower, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.3% lower. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.4% and Germany's DAX index was down 0.7% in Europe's early afternoon.

In equities, Aon (AON) stock was 3% higher after the company posted higher Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue. Coursera ( COUR ) shares were 23% higher after the company reported late Thursday higher Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue in addition to lifting its 2025 outlook.

On the losing side, Absci ( ABSI ) shares were more than 16% lower after the company said late Thursday it priced a roughly $50 million stock offering.