Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. stock index futures edged higher Wednesday evening, driven by tech sector gains following Alphabet Inc.’s strong quarterly results and President Donald Trump’s announcement of new initiatives to boost the artificial intelligence industry.
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) jumped 1.8% in after-hours trading after reporting second-quarter earnings per share of $2.31, beating Wall Street estimates of $2.18. The company raised its 2025 capital spending outlook to $85 billion, citing increased demand for cloud services and rapid AI integration into its core search platform, which helped lift advertising revenue by 10%.
Trump also fueled optimism with the White House’s first AI summit, unveiling a 90-part plan and signing three executive orders to strengthen U.S. leadership in AI. The measures aim to streamline federal regulations, expand AI technology exports, and prevent the use of politically biased AI. The president praised chipmakers Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) and AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) as central to the country’s AI ambitions.
Futures tracked Wall Street’s earlier rally, spurred by Trump’s trade deal with Japan. The agreement imposes a 15% tariff while securing $550 billion in Japanese investment and expanded U.S. agricultural and auto exports. Hopes are rising for additional trade agreements before Trump’s proposed global tariffs of 15%-50% take effect on August 1.
As of 20:09 ET (00:09 GMT), S&P 500 Futures gained 0.1% to 6,402.25, Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.3% to 23,387.50, while Dow Jones Futures slipped 0.3% to 45,097.00. The S&P 500 closed earlier at a record 6,358.97. Attention now shifts to next week’s Federal Reserve meeting, where rates are expected to remain unchanged.
