UK Job Market Shows Persistent Weakness Ahead of November Budget 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Global Markets Steady as Yen Holds Firm After Japan Earthquake Amid Central Bank Focus 
Canada Stocks Steady as Markets Await Fed and BoC Decisions 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Markets Track Ukraine Peace Talks and U.S. Rate Decision 
Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
U.S. Defense Bill Sets Record $901 Billion Budget, Includes Ukraine Aid 
Australia’s Business Conditions Ease in November as Capacity Constraints Persist 
China Warns of Rising Global Risks as Tariff Pressures Intensify in 2025 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
U.S. Economic Outlook 2026: Growth Seen Strengthening as Fiscal Support Ramps Up 
Asian Markets Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Cut and Global Policy Decisions 
Australian Dollar Rises as RBA Holds Rates and Signals Persistent Inflation Risks 
U.S. Stock Futures Hold Steady Ahead of Key Fed Decision 
Silver Prices Surge to New Record Above $60 as Supply Concerns and Fed Expectations Boost Demand 
Stock index futures remained mostly flat Thursday evening, stabilizing after a mixed Wall Street session. Investors digested lukewarm economic data and growing expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in 2025. Optimism over recent U.S.-China trade de-escalation also supported market sentiment, along with speculation on further trade deals under Donald Trump’s administration.
The S&P 500 futures hovered at 5,935.25, Nasdaq 100 futures stayed at 21,414.50, and Dow Jones futures edged up 0.1% to 42,420. Markets were seen pricing in at least two Fed rate cuts this year, spurred by softer-than-expected producer inflation and retail sales data. However, the Fed has yet to signal a timeline for policy easing.
On Thursday, Wall Street posted a mixed close. The S&P 500 gained 0.4% to 5,916.93, and the Dow Jones rose 0.7% to 42,322.75, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.2% to 19,112.32. The pullback in tech stocks came after a strong rally earlier in the week, although gains in cyclical sectors helped offset declines.
After-hours movers included Vistra Energy (NYSE:VST), which surged nearly 4% after announcing a $1.9 billion acquisition of natural gas assets, aimed at powering AI-focused data centers. Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ:TTWO) dropped 2.5% after cutting its bookings forecast due to a delay in Grand Theft Auto VI. Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) slid 5.4% as weaker revenue and soft guidance overshadowed its earnings beat.
Despite tech volatility, chipmaker earnings continued to boost investor confidence in AI-driven demand, suggesting further strength in the semiconductor sector in coming quarters.
