Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
U.S. stock index futures edged higher Wednesday evening as investors processed a hotter-than-expected consumer inflation report, reducing the likelihood of near-term interest rate cuts. Wall Street ended mostly lower following the inflation data, though strong corporate earnings helped limit losses. However, concerns over trade tariffs under former President Donald Trump kept markets in a tight range.
By 18:35 ET (23:35 GMT), S&P 500 Futures inched up 0.1% to 6,078.50, while Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.2% to 21,855.0. Dow Jones Futures gained 0.1% to 44,507.0.
January’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data came in hotter than anticipated, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged in the near term. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, speaking before Congress, reaffirmed that rate cuts would only come once inflation clearly moves toward the 2% target. The Fed has already cut rates by 1% in 2024 but remains cautious due to a strong labor market and economic resilience.
Meanwhile, Trump has pledged to curb inflation, blaming the Biden administration. However, analysts warn that his recent 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, along with potential reciprocal tariffs, could drive inflation higher in the coming months.
Wall Street ended lower Wednesday, with the S&P 500 slipping 0.3% to 6,051.92, the Dow falling 0.5% to 44,368.68, and the Nasdaq Composite finishing flat at 19,649.95. Despite market weakness, earnings from CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) and Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) provided some support, with CVS soaring 15% and Gilead jumping 7.5%. Robinhood (NASDAQ:HOOD), MGM Resorts (NYSE:MGM), Applovin (NASDAQ:APP), and Dutch Bros (NASDAQ:BROS) also posted strong gains post-earnings.
Persistent concerns over high rates, inflation, and trade policy uncertainty continue to weigh on investor sentiment.
