U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
U.S. stock futures edged lower Thursday evening as investors digested fresh tariff measures announced by President Donald Trump and mixed quarterly earnings from Amazon and Apple. The market also awaited Friday’s key nonfarm payrolls report, following new economic data showing mild inflation and slightly higher jobless claims.
By 20:26 ET, S&P 500 Futures slipped 0.3% to 6,358.50, Nasdaq 100 Futures fell 0.4% to 23,278.75, and Dow Jones Futures dropped 0.2% to 44,227. In Thursday’s regular session, the S&P 500 declined 0.4%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.7%, while the NASDAQ Composite closed nearly flat.
Amazon shares plunged over 7% in extended trading after issuing weak operating income guidance and disappointing AWS cloud results, falling short of investor expectations set by rivals’ stronger performances. Conversely, Apple stock gained 2% after beating revenue and earnings forecasts and providing an upbeat outlook for the current quarter.
Investors are also reacting to Trump’s new reciprocal tariffs, set to take effect August 1, ranging from 10% to 41% on imports from multiple countries. The order imposes 25% tariffs on goods from India, 20% on Taiwan, and 30% on South Africa, while raising Canadian tariffs to 35% from 25% over fentanyl-related concerns. A separate 15% tariff was announced earlier on imports from South Korea.
Economic data showed initial jobless claims rose slightly to 218,000 last week, signaling a still-resilient labor market. Meanwhile, June consumer spending increased, and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index rose 0.3%, matching forecasts and slightly above May’s 0.2%, providing fresh signals on U.S. inflation trends amid heightened trade tensions.
