Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S. stock index futures rose Thursday evening, driven by strong earnings from Alphabet Inc. and renewed investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) and tech stocks. Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) jumped nearly 5% in after-hours trading after surpassing Q1 earnings expectations and announcing a $70 billion stock buyback. The company also reaffirmed its aggressive AI development roadmap, boosting investor confidence in sustained demand for data centers and chips.
Alphabet’s performance helped lift other major tech players. Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) and NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) both gained over 1% post-market, while chipmaker TSMC (NYSE:TSM) rose 0.5%. ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW) also contributed to bullish sentiment with stronger-than-expected results, reinforcing momentum in AI-focused software and infrastructure.
S&P 500 futures rose 0.4% to 5,531.0, while Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.5% to 19,427.25. The Dow Jones futures traded flat at 40,260.0. Earlier, the S&P 500 gained 2%, the Nasdaq surged 2.7%, and the Dow rose 1.2%.
Investor optimism was further supported by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting ongoing trade talks with China, despite denials from Chinese officials. Markets remained focused on the possibility of tariff reductions amid trade war concerns.
However, the earnings landscape outside tech was mixed. Consumer-facing companies like Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG), Chipotle (NYSE:CMG), PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP), and Skechers (NYSE:SKX) cut or withdrew guidance, citing uncertain consumer spending. Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) fell 5% in after-hours trading despite beating estimates, as weak guidance and macroeconomic risks weighed on sentiment.
With more tech earnings ahead, including Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) next week, investor attention remains on AI growth potential and corporate guidance amid economic uncertainty.
