Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
Hungary Industrial Output Beats Forecasts With 4.7% July Growth 
Gold Holds Near $4,400 as Fed Hike Bets Rise 
Yen Rebounds as BOJ Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
Japan Foreign Reserves Plunge $79.6 Billion After Record Yen Intervention 
China Boosts Gold Reserves by 650,000 Ounces as Prices Rally 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Tensions Threaten Supply 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Korean Chipmakers Rally 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
Add as a preferred source on Google
U.S. stock futures held steady on Thursday evening following a positive session on Wall Street, as traders evaluated a mix of corporate earnings while awaiting delayed inflation data caused by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.1% to 6,781.50, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.2% to 25,302.75, and Dow Jones Futures hovered around 46,919.0. The modest uptick followed solid gains in the regular session, with the S&P 500 up 0.6%, the Nasdaq Composite advancing 0.9%, and the Dow Jones adding 0.3%, supported by strength in industrials and technology shares.
Chipmaker Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) surged over 8% in after-hours trading after posting better-than-expected quarterly earnings, marking a return to profitability driven by strong demand for PC and data center chips. The company cited early benefits from its manufacturing turnaround and tighter cost management. Intel has also received recent capital boosts from Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and SoftBank Group (TYO: 9984), reinforcing optimism about its recovery.
In the industrial sector, Honeywell International (NASDAQ: HON) climbed after reporting upbeat earnings and raising its profit outlook. American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) also gained on stronger annual guidance, while T-Mobile US (NASDAQ: TMUS) reported solid subscriber growth despite cost concerns.
Investor sentiment was further lifted by a rally in quantum computing stocks, following reports that the U.S. government is considering taking equity stakes in select quantum firms to strengthen national innovation efforts. Meanwhile, easing trade concerns added to the market’s positive tone after the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week in South Korea.
However, trading remained cautious ahead of the delayed September Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, postponed due to the three-week government shutdown. With a Federal Reserve policy meeting approaching, markets are closely watching inflation data for clues on future rate cuts—expected at 25 basis points this month and another in December.
