Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Stock index futures remained mostly flat Thursday evening, stabilizing after a mixed Wall Street session. Investors digested lukewarm economic data and growing expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in 2025. Optimism over recent U.S.-China trade de-escalation also supported market sentiment, along with speculation on further trade deals under Donald Trump’s administration.
The S&P 500 futures hovered at 5,935.25, Nasdaq 100 futures stayed at 21,414.50, and Dow Jones futures edged up 0.1% to 42,420. Markets were seen pricing in at least two Fed rate cuts this year, spurred by softer-than-expected producer inflation and retail sales data. However, the Fed has yet to signal a timeline for policy easing.
On Thursday, Wall Street posted a mixed close. The S&P 500 gained 0.4% to 5,916.93, and the Dow Jones rose 0.7% to 42,322.75, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.2% to 19,112.32. The pullback in tech stocks came after a strong rally earlier in the week, although gains in cyclical sectors helped offset declines.
After-hours movers included Vistra Energy (NYSE:VST), which surged nearly 4% after announcing a $1.9 billion acquisition of natural gas assets, aimed at powering AI-focused data centers. Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ:TTWO) dropped 2.5% after cutting its bookings forecast due to a delay in Grand Theft Auto VI. Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) slid 5.4% as weaker revenue and soft guidance overshadowed its earnings beat.
Despite tech volatility, chipmaker earnings continued to boost investor confidence in AI-driven demand, suggesting further strength in the semiconductor sector in coming quarters.
