South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Gold, Silver, and Platinum Rally as Precious Metals Recover from Sharp Selloff 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
S&P 500 Rises as AI Stocks and Small Caps Rally on Strong Earnings Outlook 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
Trump Announces U.S.–India Trade Deal Cutting Tariffs, Boosting Markets and Energy Ties 
U.S. stock index futures edged higher Thursday evening after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs, driven by upbeat tech earnings and strong retail sales, signaling continued economic resilience. Hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts also lifted sentiment, especially following comments from Fed Governor Christopher Waller supporting a 25 basis point cut. However, Waller remains among the few central bankers favoring immediate action.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.1% to 6,350.25, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.1% to 23,281.50, and Dow Jones Futures added 0.2% to 44,818.0 by 20:17 ET.
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) shares dipped 2% to $1,250.15 in after-hours trading despite strong Q2 results and upgraded annual revenue guidance. Hits like Squid Game Season 2 fueled growth, but investors had anticipated a more aggressive outlook for 2025. Analyst Thomas Monteiro noted markets had priced in a sharper upward revision.
Wall Street closed sharply higher Thursday, brushing aside concerns over upcoming tariffs set to take effect August 1 under President Donald Trump. The Nasdaq rallied on robust earnings from chip giant TSMC (NYSE:TSM), which flagged ongoing AI-driven demand. U.S.-listed TSMC shares surged 3.4%, lifting broader tech and semiconductor sectors.
The S&P 500 rose 0.5% to 6,297.48, the Nasdaq Composite jumped 0.8% to 20,885.65, and the Dow gained 0.5% to 44,485.10.
Investors now brace for a major earnings wave next week. While Friday’s earnings slate includes American Express (NYSE:AXP), 3M (NYSE:MMM), and Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW), next week brings reports from Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO), Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:TXN), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), setting the tone for Q2 earnings season.
