U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
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.
