Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
U.S. stock futures were steady Monday evening after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs, driven by optimism over a potential Federal Reserve interest rate cut and progress in U.S.-China trade talks.
As of 20:14 ET (00:14 GMT), S&P 500 Futures held near 6,676.50, Nasdaq 100 Futures traded flat at 24,543.0, and Dow Jones Futures dipped 0.1% to 46,240.0. Earlier in the session, the S&P 500 climbed 0.5% to a record 6,619.62, while the Nasdaq Composite rose nearly 1% to 22,352.25. The Dow added 0.1%.
Markets widely expect the Federal Open Market Committee to cut rates by 25 basis points at its September 16–17 meeting. Investors are closely watching whether the Fed signals this as the start of a broader easing cycle.
Sentiment also improved after President Donald Trump said a “big Trade Meeting in Europe” went “VERY WELL,” noting a deal had been reached to secure TikTok’s U.S. ownership. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed a framework was in place, with Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to finalize details during a Friday call.
In corporate news, Tesla shares gained 3.6% after Elon Musk disclosed nearly $1 billion in stock purchases. Alphabet surged 4%, surpassing a $3 trillion market valuation for the first time, boosting the tech sector. Meanwhile, Nvidia closed flat as China’s regulator said it would continue an anti-monopoly probe after preliminary findings of violations.
The combination of expected Fed easing, progress in trade negotiations, and major corporate moves fueled investor confidence, keeping Wall Street on track for further momentum despite global uncertainties.
