Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
U.S. stock futures traded flat Thursday evening after Wall Street’s major indexes reached fresh record highs, as investors weighed stronger-than-expected inflation against signs of a cooling labor market.
At 20:10 ET (00:10 GMT), S&P 500 Futures stood at 6,593.25, Nasdaq 100 Futures at 24,019.75, and Dow Jones Futures at 46,144.0, all holding steady. Earlier, the S&P 500 gained 0.9%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1.4% past 46,000 for the first time, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7%.
The rally followed new economic data showing U.S. consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, the sharpest increase since January, lifting annual inflation to 2.9%. While inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, concerns are shifting toward the labor market as weekly jobless claims climbed to 263,000, the highest since 2021. This comes after last week’s disappointing nonfarm payrolls report, reinforcing expectations of a Fed rate cut at its September 16-17 meeting. Markets are pricing in a near-certain 25 basis point cut, with smaller odds of a larger move.
Analysts noted that while tariffs could keep inflation elevated, the Fed is prioritizing weakening employment trends. Rising jobless claims highlight increasing layoffs, with subdued hiring adding pressure on policymakers.
In corporate news, Warner Bros Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD) shares soared nearly 30% after reports that Paramount Skydance Corp (NASDAQ:PSKY) is preparing a majority-cash bid. Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) rose over 3% in extended trading after beating revenue and profit estimates, driven by demand for AI-powered tools, and raised its annual outlook. Kroger (NYSE:KR) posted stronger-than-expected earnings and lifted its full-year forecast, though shares remained flat. Centene Corp (NYSE:CNC) jumped more than 10% after reaffirming its 2025 earnings guidance.
