Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
U.S. stock index futures edged higher Thursday evening after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs, driven by upbeat tech earnings and strong retail sales, signaling continued economic resilience. Hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts also lifted sentiment, especially following comments from Fed Governor Christopher Waller supporting a 25 basis point cut. However, Waller remains among the few central bankers favoring immediate action.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.1% to 6,350.25, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.1% to 23,281.50, and Dow Jones Futures added 0.2% to 44,818.0 by 20:17 ET.
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) shares dipped 2% to $1,250.15 in after-hours trading despite strong Q2 results and upgraded annual revenue guidance. Hits like Squid Game Season 2 fueled growth, but investors had anticipated a more aggressive outlook for 2025. Analyst Thomas Monteiro noted markets had priced in a sharper upward revision.
Wall Street closed sharply higher Thursday, brushing aside concerns over upcoming tariffs set to take effect August 1 under President Donald Trump. The Nasdaq rallied on robust earnings from chip giant TSMC (NYSE:TSM), which flagged ongoing AI-driven demand. U.S.-listed TSMC shares surged 3.4%, lifting broader tech and semiconductor sectors.
The S&P 500 rose 0.5% to 6,297.48, the Nasdaq Composite jumped 0.8% to 20,885.65, and the Dow gained 0.5% to 44,485.10.
Investors now brace for a major earnings wave next week. While Friday’s earnings slate includes American Express (NYSE:AXP), 3M (NYSE:MMM), and Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW), next week brings reports from Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO), Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:TXN), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), setting the tone for Q2 earnings season.
