India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Wall Street futures edged higher on Thursday evening after a turbulent trading day marked by deep losses across major indexes. The rebound came as markets attempted to steady themselves following a sharp reversal in Nvidia’s stock, which had initially surged on strong quarterly earnings before sentiment soured. The tech giant’s slump amplified broader concerns about lofty valuations in the artificial intelligence sector, fueling fears of a growing AI bubble.
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) slipped another 0.2% in after-hours trading, extending the 3.1% loss seen earlier in the session. Despite reporting solid top- and bottom-line results, investors reacted negatively to rising inventory levels and management commentary that failed to ease worries surrounding AI-driven demand. Investor Michael Burry, known for forecasting the 2008 financial crisis, added pressure by arguing that true demand for AI technology is far lower than current market valuations suggest. Nvidia’s dramatic swing wiped out nearly $400 billion in market value, underscoring the heightened volatility in the tech sector.
Losses were not limited to technology stocks. Strong September payrolls data strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve may hold off on cutting interest rates in December, weighing down multiple sectors. A resilient labor market combined with persistent inflation has reduced odds of near-term monetary easing. Fed minutes released earlier this week signaled policymakers remain divided on a potential December cut. According to CME FedWatch, the probability of a 25-basis-point cut has slipped to 31%, down from nearly 46% a week ago. Morgan Stanley analysts also withdrew their forecast for a December cut following the robust employment report.
Despite the broader market downturn, Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) provided a bright spot with a 6.5% rally after posting upbeat earnings. Elsewhere, President Donald Trump’s order to lower U.S. import tariffs on select Brazilian agricultural goods lent mild support by offering potential relief for food inflation.
By 19:40 ET, S&P 500 futures rose 0.3% to 6,576.0, Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.2% to 24,186.25, and Dow futures added 0.3% to 45,970.0.
