Uranium Prices Could Top $100 as Nuclear Demand Grows 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Korean Chipmakers Rally 
Japan Foreign Reserves Plunge $79.6 Billion After Record Yen Intervention 
Hungary Industrial Output Beats Forecasts With 4.7% July Growth 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
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U.S. stock futures edged lower on Thursday as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of crucial U.S. unemployment data. Market participants are closely watching the labor market figures for signals on the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves, particularly whether conditions could support additional interest rate cuts later this year. The data is expected to influence short-term market sentiment as traders reassess the outlook for economic growth, inflation, and monetary policy.
Despite the broader weakness in futures, several major U.S. stocks made notable moves in premarket trading. Alphabet shares rose 0.8%, extending recent gains after the Google parent’s market capitalization surpassed that of Apple for the first time since 2019. The milestone reinforced investor confidence in Alphabet’s long-term growth prospects, especially in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital advertising.
Nvidia stock advanced 0.4% following a Bloomberg report that China may soon approve certain purchases of the company’s H200 artificial intelligence chips. Approval could come as early as this quarter, potentially reopening access to a critical market for the U.S. chipmaker and boosting demand for its high-performance AI hardware.
Defense stocks also rallied strongly in premarket trading. RTX gained 4.9%, while Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman climbed 7% and 7.6%, respectively. The surge came after suggestions of a significant increase in the U.S. military budget for 2027, outweighing concerns over President Trump’s proposal to restrict dividends and share buybacks until defense contractors accelerate weapons production.
Applied Digital shares jumped 6.1% after the data center operator reported better-than-expected second-quarter revenue and announced new lease agreements with two hyperscale customers across its North Dakota campuses. Constellation Brands rose 2% after posting stronger-than-expected third-quarter sales and profit, supported by steady demand for Modelo Especial and Corona beers.
On the downside, Alcoa stock fell 3.4% following a JPMorgan downgrade, while Gap shares climbed 3.9% after a bullish UBS upgrade, reflecting improving expectations for sales and earnings growth.
