Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
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 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
U.S. stock index futures steadied Wednesday evening as Wall Street closed higher for the fourth consecutive session, with investors betting that the ongoing government shutdown will have limited economic fallout. Despite weak labor market signals and subdued manufacturing data, markets gained on optimism that the Federal Reserve will deliver another interest rate cut at the end of October.
S&P 500 Futures held flat at 6,759.50 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures stabilized at 25,018.75 points. Dow Jones Futures also remained steady at 46,712.0 points by 19:16 ET (23:16 GMT). The S&P 500 itself ended at a record high of 6,711.20 points, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.4% to 22,755.16 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.1% to 46,411.10.
The U.S. government officially entered a shutdown after lawmakers failed to approve new funding. The closure is set to disrupt critical services, including air traffic control and disaster relief. Key economic data, such as the nonfarm payrolls report due Friday, is also expected to be delayed. The deadlock stemmed from disputes over healthcare subsidies, with Democrats rejecting a Republican-backed bill. President Donald Trump further escalated tensions by threatening to withhold funding from Democrat-leaning states and cut federal jobs permanently.
Markets, however, looked past political uncertainty. Healthcare stocks led gains, supported by expectations of favorable regulation, while technology shares extended their rally on ongoing enthusiasm around artificial intelligence. Netflix lagged, sliding 2.3% after Tesla CEO Elon Musk urged his social media followers to cancel subscriptions.
Historically, government shutdowns have had minimal long-term effects on markets. The last one, in late 2018 and early 2019, lasted 35 days and cost the economy about $11 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
This time, weak ADP payroll data for September and PMI figures confirming continued contraction in manufacturing signaled labor market softness. Yet, these indicators strengthened expectations of further Fed rate cuts, providing key support for equities amid ongoing uncertainty.
