Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at record highs on Thursday, driven by strong U.S. retail sales data and upbeat corporate earnings. The Nasdaq rose 153.78 points (0.74%) to 20,884.27, marking its sixth record close in seven sessions. The S&P 500 gained 33.66 points (0.54%) to 6,297.36, while the Dow Jones climbed 229.71 points (0.52%) to 44,484.49.
Investors embraced signs of resilient consumer spending, despite concerns over inflation and President Trump’s recent tariffs. U.S. retail sales rebounded sharply in June, indicating strong consumer confidence even amid trade tensions and higher prices. Analysts noted that both economic indicators and earnings have provided support for the ongoing market rally.
Fed Governor Adriana Kugler confirmed Thursday that interest rate cuts remain on hold as policymakers assess the inflationary impact of import tariffs. Market expectations now place the probability of a September rate cut at 54%, while a July move is largely dismissed, according to CME’s FedWatch tool.
Earnings from major consumer and tech companies boosted sentiment. PepsiCo surged 7.5% after upbeat forecasts, fueled by demand for energy drinks and healthier beverages. United Airlines jumped 3.1% on stronger post-July demand. Delta and American Airlines also gained over 1.4%.
Tech stocks rallied following strong earnings from TSMC, the top AI chipmaker, which reported record quarterly profits and strong AI demand. U.S.-listed shares of TSMC rose 3.4%, with Marvell and Nvidia up 1.6% and 1%, respectively.
Financials led sector gains with a 0.9% rise. Netflix advanced 1.9% before posting better-than-expected earnings, boosted by the final season of “Squid Game.” Analysts say Big Tech could see more upside as AI momentum and earnings season continue.
