Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
U.S. stock futures traded slightly lower on Wednesday evening as investors assessed mixed corporate earnings and renewed concerns over U.S.-China trade relations. By 8:18 p.m. ET (00:18 GMT), S&P 500 futures dipped 0.2% to 6,726.25, Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.2% to 24,986.75, and Dow Jones futures slid 0.3% to 46,641.0.
Major indexes ended the regular session in the red, with the S&P 500 down 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 0.7%, and the Nasdaq Composite losing 0.9%. Tech stocks were among the biggest drags, led by Tesla’s post-earnings slump. The electric vehicle giant (NASDAQ: TSLA) reported record revenue of $28.1 billion, slightly above expectations. However, net income plunged 37% as higher research spending and tariff-related costs eroded margins. The sales boost came largely from consumers rushing to claim the $7,500 federal EV tax credit before its expiration on September 30. Tesla shares fell 1% during the session and slid another 4% after hours.
General Electric’s spinoff GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) disappointed investors with weaker-than-expected profits, while IBM (NYSE: IBM) reported earnings that exceeded forecasts but warned of slowing growth in its hybrid-cloud business. IBM shares fell about 5% in extended trading. Meanwhile, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) dropped 1.7% after reports from Nikkei indicated it is sharply cutting production of its iPhone Air model.
Investors now await U.S. consumer inflation data due Friday, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s next policy decision.
Adding to market pressure, Reuters reported that the Trump administration is considering new export restrictions on goods made with U.S. software bound for China. The move, aimed at countering Beijing’s rare earth export curbs, could impact industries from semiconductors to aerospace, signaling a potential escalation in trade tensions ahead of President Trump’s expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
