Asian Stocks Cautious Ahead of US Jobs Data as Oil Rises 
Brazil Cuts Selic Rate to 14% as Inflation Eases but Risks Persist 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Lifts Tech Shares Across Regional Markets 
Australia Trade Surplus Returns in June as Iron Ore, Coal and LNG Exports Surge 
Singapore Says One-Third of U.S. Exports Hit by New 12.5% Tariff 
UK Services PMI Returns to Growth in July as New Orders and Confidence Rebound 
Oil Prices Surge as Iran Hormuz Restrictions Renew Supply Fears 
Gold Prices Steady as Hormuz Tensions Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Dollar Holds Near Six-Week Low as Yen Loses Momentum Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data 
European Stocks Near Record Highs as Earnings Strength Offsets Geopolitical Concerns 
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing as Hopes Rise for Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Philippine GDP Growth Slows to 2.3% in Q2 
German Bund Yields Hit Three-Week Low as Energy Prices Ease and ECB Outlook Softens 
European Natural Gas Prices Hold Near Three-Week Lows Amid Middle East Talks and Supply Concerns 
Oil Prices Slip as Hormuz Shipping Progress and Rising U.S. Crude Stocks Weigh on Market 
Gold Price Hits Seven-Week High as Fed Rate Hike Bets Fade and Hormuz Deal Hopes Grow 
U.S. stock futures edged higher Thursday evening as investors reacted to upbeat corporate earnings and turned their attention to the July nonfarm payrolls report for fresh signals on Federal Reserve interest rate policy.
S&P 500 futures gained 0.06% to 7,739.75, while Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.35% to 29,591.50. Dow Jones futures slipped slightly to 53,991. The moves followed a weaker Wall Street session, where the recent technology stock rebound lost momentum and optimism surrounding a potential agreement with Iran faded.
Airbnb and Cloudflare were among the biggest movers in after-hours trading following stronger-than-expected quarterly results. Airbnb shares jumped about 11% after the vacation rental company exceeded Wall Street forecasts and raised its full-year outlook.
Cloudflare shares climbed roughly 15% after reporting better-than-anticipated revenue and earnings. The cloud infrastructure company benefited from growing demand for technology supporting the expansion of artificial intelligence applications.
Technology stocks remain closely watched as investors weigh strong AI-related demand against concerns about elevated valuations and heavy spending. Recent earnings reports from SanDisk and Western Digital provided less enthusiasm.
Investor focus is now shifting to Friday's U.S. nonfarm payrolls report. The July employment data could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve's next interest rate moves, particularly as policymakers balance labor market conditions against persistent inflation. Payroll growth is expected to accelerate from June while remaining relatively subdued amid broader economic weakness and AI-related disruptions.
Wall Street's major indexes declined Thursday but remained on track for solid weekly gains after reaching record highs earlier in the week. The S&P 500 was heading toward a 2.9% weekly advance, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2.7%, and the Nasdaq Composite was positioned for a 3.8% gain.
Geopolitical risks also remain a key market concern. Earlier optimism over a possible U.S.-Iran agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz weakened as no deal emerged and military tensions remained elevated. A sharp rebound in oil prices on Thursday added to concerns about inflation and potential economic disruption.
