Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
U.S. stock index futures rose sharply Wednesday evening, driven by strong quarterly earnings from Microsoft and Meta Platforms that boosted optimism for AI-led growth. The rally followed a muted Wall Street session earlier in the day after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, dampening expectations for a rate cut in September.
Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 1.1% to 23,719.75 points, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.7% to 6,441.25 points. Dow Jones futures added 0.2% to 44,690 points. The tech-heavy Nasdaq outperformed as investor sentiment improved on robust results from major tech firms.
During regular trading, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4%. The Fed’s decision marked the first double dissent since 1993, with Trump-appointed governors Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller favoring a 25 basis-point cut. President Donald Trump criticized the central bank, urging rapid rate reductions to spur growth.
Economic data earlier Wednesday showed U.S. GDP grew more than expected in Q2, rebounding from a Q1 contraction. Private payrolls rose by 104,000 in July, ahead of Friday’s key nonfarm payrolls report.
Microsoft surged over 8% after reporting strong cloud and AI-driven revenue, while Meta soared nearly 12% on robust ad growth and upbeat guidance. Apple and Amazon are set to report next.
In trade developments, Trump announced a 15% tariff on South Korean imports alongside a $350 billion U.S. investment pledge from Seoul and a 25% tariff on India over Russian military purchases. A 50% tariff on semi-finished copper products begins August 1, signaling escalating trade tensions.
