Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
U.S. stock futures posted modest gains Thursday evening, rebounding slightly after Wall Street’s sharp decline earlier in the day. By 19:29 ET (00:29 GMT), S&P 500 Futures rose 0.3% to 6,765.0, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.3% to 25,318.75, while Dow Jones Futures slipped 0.2% to 47,129.0 points.
The recovery followed another volatile session driven by intensified selling in artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks, with growing fears that high valuations in the tech sector may have overshot fundamentals. The NASDAQ Composite tumbled 1.9%, the S&P 500 dropped 1.4%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.8% as investors reacted to warnings from top Wall Street executives at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley about overheated equity markets.
Concerns were further compounded by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now stretching into its second month, delaying crucial economic data such as inflation and jobs reports. This lack of data has complicated the Federal Reserve’s decision-making process regarding potential interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, private data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed a staggering 183% increase in corporate layoffs in October—the steepest monthly rise in decades—adding to recessionary concerns.
In corporate developments, Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) shareholders approved CEO Elon Musk’s record-breaking $1 trillion compensation package, contingent on achieving ambitious goals like an $8.5 trillion market valuation and mass deployment of robotaxis and humanoid robots. The approval reflects investor confidence despite recent volatility in tech shares.
Elsewhere, Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) surged 5% in after-hours trading following strong quarterly earnings and upbeat guidance. Affirm Holdings (NASDAQ: AFRM) also jumped over 12% after reporting robust results that exceeded Wall Street forecasts.
The cautious optimism in futures trading suggests investors remain watchful of macroeconomic uncertainty, market valuations, and the broader impact of AI-driven growth.
