IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
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 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
U.S. stock index futures rose slightly on Thursday evening as investors maintained expectations for further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, shifting their attention toward the upcoming third-quarter earnings season. The modest gains followed a soft Wall Street session, where markets paused after a record-breaking rally driven by tech optimism and artificial intelligence momentum.
As of 19:07 ET (23:07 GMT), S&P 500 futures gained 0.1% to 6,784.50, Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.1% to 23,312.75, and Dow Jones futures edged up 0.1% to 46,628.0. The S&P 500 closed Thursday down 0.3% at 6,735.11, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.1% to 23,024.63, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.5% to 46,358.42.
Tech stocks, including NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), have been the primary catalyst for recent market strength, buoyed by increased investment and chip supply deals linked to AI development. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE: TSM) also added support after reporting strong third-quarter revenue, with investors awaiting its full earnings report next week.
Market sentiment was further shaped by comments from Federal Reserve officials. New York Fed President John Williams expressed support for additional rate cuts, citing a weakening labor market. Minutes from the Fed’s September meeting revealed that while policymakers broadly agreed on more easing, opinions differed on how deep the cuts should go. Fed Chair Jerome Powell offered limited guidance, but traders largely continued to price in a 98% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut in October, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Looking ahead, attention turns to the Q3 earnings season beginning next week. Major financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), Citigroup (NYSE: C), and BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) are set to report Tuesday. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), ASML Holding (AS: ASML), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) will follow midweek. Investors will watch closely to assess how trade tariffs and economic disruptions have impacted corporate profits.
