Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Indian Rupee Strengthens Sharply After U.S.-India Trade Deal Announcement 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength Caps Gains 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
U.S. stock futures edged higher on Monday night, extending Wall Street’s strong start to February as optimism around technology and semiconductor stocks continued to drive market sentiment. Investors are now bracing for a critical week of earnings from megacap companies that could influence near-term market direction.
By late evening trading, S&P 500 futures climbed 0.3% to 7,020.75 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.5% to 25,972.75 points. Dow Jones futures were also modestly higher, up 0.1% at 49,554 points. The gains followed a solid regular session on Monday, during which the S&P 500 closed near record highs, highlighting resilience in U.S. equities despite recent bouts of volatility.
Much of the momentum has been fueled by renewed strength in artificial intelligence-related stocks and semiconductor shares. Continued optimism around long-term demand for AI computing power, cloud infrastructure, and advanced chips has supported valuations across the technology sector. Investors remain focused on whether corporate earnings can justify elevated expectations tied to AI investment and growth.
The earnings calendar is packed with closely watched reports that could set the tone for markets in the days ahead. Advanced Micro Devices is scheduled to report results on Tuesday after the market close, with particular attention on demand for its AI-focused chips. Alphabet will release earnings on Wednesday, followed by Amazon on Thursday, putting advertising trends, cloud computing growth, and consumer spending firmly in the spotlight.
These reports come after a mixed market reaction to Microsoft’s earnings last week. While Microsoft delivered solid headline results, its outlook and commentary on cloud growth and heavy AI investment raised concerns about the timing of returns, prompting some profit-taking in technology stocks.
After the closing bell on Monday, Palantir Technologies shares surged roughly 7% after the company posted quarterly results that exceeded expectations, signaling sustained demand for its AI-driven platforms across both government and commercial customers.
Beyond earnings, investors are monitoring developments in Washington, where lawmakers are working to resolve a partial U.S. government shutdown. The funding lapse has delayed key economic releases, including the January jobs report, adding another layer of uncertainty as markets assess the outlook for interest rates and Federal Reserve policy.
