Tag: Stock Market

  • Wall Street Futures Edge Higher as Oil Retreats and Bond Yields Ease

    Wall Street Futures Edge Higher as Oil Retreats and Bond Yields Ease

    US stock futures edged higher on Tuesday as oil prices fell and Treasury yields eased from recent highs. Chip stocks recovered in premarket trading, while investors awaited US jobs and inflation data for clues about the Federal Reserve’s next rate decision.

    At 8:45 a.m. ET, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.17%, S&P 500 futures rose 0.14%, and NASDAQ 100 futures gained 0.28%. The gains followed a weaker session on Monday, when rising oil prices and Treasury yields weighed on stocks. The S&P 500 recorded its largest one-day percentage decline since late August.

    The latest premarket moves remained small, and futures can change before regular trading begins. Traders continued to weigh the cost of energy and borrowing against a recovery in some chip stocks. They were also watching for news on the war with Iran, which has disrupted oil shipments from the Middle East.

    Brent crude futures fell more than 1% on Tuesday as attention turned to signs of stronger oil exports from the Gulf. The decline followed Monday’s rise in crude prices after President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices remained elevated even after Tuesday’s pullback.

    The pause in oil’s rise coincided with a modest easing in Treasury yields. The benchmark 10-year yield closed Monday at 5.241%, its highest close since 2007. It climbed above 5.26% early Tuesday before falling back. One later morning reading put the yield near 5.220%, while the 30-year yield was around 5.542%. Yields move in the opposite direction from bond prices.

    The levels kept borrowing costs in focus. Higher yields can raise financing costs for companies and households, while expensive oil can add to inflation. Australia’s central bank raised its interest rate to a 15-year high on Tuesday. In the US, traders were looking to upcoming economic reports for clues about the Federal Reserve’s next move.

    Several chipmakers rose after Monday’s sector-wide selloff. Marvell Technology, Micron Technology and Broadcom each gained about 1% before the opening bell. NVIDIA advanced 0.7% after adding USD 150 billion to its share repurchase authorization on Monday.

    Investors also assessed an Anthropic prospectus seen by Reuters for a possible public offering. It showed rapid growth alongside wider losses, while the AI company is targeting a valuation of more than USD 2 trillion. That figure is a proposed valuation, not the price of a completed listing. Separately, investors were due to hear from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the company’s DevDay event later Tuesday.

    The August job openings report and the Conference Board’s consumer confidence reading were due Tuesday. Inflation and employment figures later in the week were also on the calendar. At least six Federal Reserve officials, including New York Fed President John Williams, were scheduled to speak during the day.

    Among individual stocks, Summit Therapeutics rose about 20% in premarket trading. AstraZeneca said it would invest USD 2 billion in the company, and the two drugmakers plan to study their cancer treatments together. PepsiCo fell 1.1% after JPMorgan cut its rating from overweight to neutral. CarMax also gained before the open following its quarterly results.

  • Why Indian Investors Still Turn to Crypto as Equities Face Headwinds

    Why Indian Investors Still Turn to Crypto as Equities Face Headwinds

    India’s economy expanded by 7.8% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, yet the stock market experienced pressure in September. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency participation among Indian investors has remained robust, though data does not confirm a direct shift from equities to digital assets.

    Strong Growth, Uneven Markets

    According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, India’s real GDP grew 7.8% year-on-year in the April–June 2026 quarter. Despite this, Indian equities weakened and foreign investors sold shares. Economic growth and stock returns can diverge over short periods.

    Domestic investment remains significant. India’s mutual fund industry held assets worth Rs. 87.08 lakh crore at the end of August 2026, as reported by the Association of Mutual Funds in India. This figure underscores the scale of participation in market-linked products, though it reflects assets held rather than new inflows during September.

    Currency fluctuations also play a role. A weaker rupee can boost the rupee value of dollar-denominated assets, including overseas shares and cryptocurrencies, even if their dollar price remains unchanged.

    Crypto Interest Persists Despite Tax Hurdles

    India and South Korea recorded the largest absolute crypto-asset inflows in the 12 months to June 2025, according to the OECD’s 2026 Asia Capital Markets Report. While this data covers an earlier period and does not explain September’s stock market weakness, it highlights the scale of India’s crypto market.

    Exchange surveys indicate a predominantly young investor base, including users from beyond major cities. CoinSwitch co-founder Ashish Singhal estimates India has 70 million to 90 million crypto investors, though he acknowledges that far fewer may trade actively.

    Trading digital assets carries a distinct tax burden: a 30% tax on income from virtual digital asset transfers, plus a 1% tax deducted at source. Investors cannot offset losses from such transfers against other income. These rules apply even though India has yet to enact a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.

    Regulatory Uncertainty and Practical Risks

    The Reserve Bank of India has repeatedly voiced concerns about the potential financial stability risks posed by crypto assets. Meanwhile, exchanges must comply with anti-money-laundering requirements, and tax authorities demand transaction reporting. These measures address parts of the market without establishing a clear oversight regime.

    Practical risks for traders are significant. A blockchain validator and decentralized finance investor quoted in the source material warned that expecting large daily returns “will lead to pain.” Crypto prices are highly volatile, and investors may face exchange failures or losses with limited recourse.

    The available data supports a more measured conclusion than a wholesale shift from stocks to crypto. India continues to enjoy strong economic growth, a large domestic investment market, and sustained crypto participation. Determining whether weak equities are driving more Indian investors into crypto would require comparable, current data on flows into each asset class.

    This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher as Oil Prices Surge on Rejected Iran Truce; Aldi Plans £900M Expansion

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher as Oil Prices Surge on Rejected Iran Truce; Aldi Plans £900M Expansion

    The FTSE 100 opened 27.61 points higher at 10,722.86 on Monday, driven by a rise in oil prices after US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal for a seven-day truce that could have reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures climbed 2.48% to $106.9 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced 2.09% to $94.34 per barrel.

    Sterling strengthened to $1.3247 early Monday, up from $1.3238 at the London equities close on Friday. Against the euro, the pound rose to €1.1627 from €1.1616 a day earlier.

    Gainers and Losers

    On the upside, Barratt Redrow surged 14.01% to 352.30p after the government confirmed it would introduce a new equity-loan program for first-time buyers in next month’s Budget. Howden Joinery Group advanced 5.27% to 799.00p, and Kingfisher gained 4.54% to 343.30p. JD Sports Fashion rose 2.17% to 79.18p, Games Workshop Group added 1.94% to 17,910p, and Marks & Spencer Group increased 1.68% to 380.80p.

    On the downside, Fresnillo fell 5.29% to 2,737p, while Endeavour Mining declined 4.77% to 4,309p. Antofagasta dropped 3.78% to 3,589p, Anglo American slipped 3.34% to 3,907p, and Rio Tinto lost 2.22% to 6,931p. Computacenter also traded lower, falling 1.20% to 5,345p.

    Aldi to Invest £900 Million for New Stores

    Aldi announced plans to invest £900 million in opening new stores next year. The UK’s fourth-largest supermarket chain reported record sales growth of 5% to £19 billion in 2025, driven by a £340 million investment in price cuts on products such as butter, meat, and frozen fish. Chief Executive Giles Hurley said, “The cost of food remains one of the biggest pressures on households across the country. We’re working hard to make good food more affordable for every family.”

    Chrysalis Sells Stake in Klarna

    Chrysalis sold its remaining stake in buy now, pay later firm Klarna for £34 million after a stock decline over the past year. The investment trust said the exit price exceeded its recent valuation of the holdings, reversing some earlier drawdowns. Chrysalis will return £25 million to shareholders through a buyback program and retain £9 million as a prudent operating capital buffer for potential follow-on investments.

    Entain Predicts Earnings Decline

    Entain warned that its global earnings will suffer due to Brazil’s newly announced ban on online sports betting. The company said the ban pushes its full-year earnings to the lower end of its £910 million-to-£960 million guidance. In a statement, Entain said it is “disappointed by this sudden development without consultation with industry stakeholders regarding its significant adverse consequences,” but confirmed its Brazilian operations are complying with the provisional measure.

    Global Market Overview

    In the US, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 180 points (0.4%), S&P 500 futures lost 0.4%, and Nasdaq-100 futures fell 0.7%. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.73% to 65,877.62, while China’s Shanghai Composite dipped 1.67%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.61%, and South Korea’s Kospi edged down 2.7%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell by 1.34% and 1.38%, respectively.

  • Nifty 50 and Sensex Slide as Indian Markets Open Lower on US-Iran Tensions

    Nifty 50 and Sensex Slide as Indian Markets Open Lower on US-Iran Tensions

    The Indian stock market opened lower on September 28, 2026, as US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, escalating geopolitical tensions. The Nifty 50 opened 75.6 points (0.33%) lower at 23,064.90, while the Sensex declined 160.91 points to 73,734.83. The Bank Nifty also fell 232.6 points to 55,347.80.

    The Indian rupee weakened by 7 paise to Rs. 95.88 per dollar. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs. 3,696 crore on September 25, extending their selling streak, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought equities worth Rs. 2,838 crore during the session.

    Sensex Technical Outlook

    According to Sachin Gupta, VP of Technical Research at Choice Equity Broking Private Limited, the Sensex continues to exhibit a sideways-to-bearish trend. The 73,200-73,450 range is emerging as a key support zone. Sustained buying above 74,000 could reinforce recovery and push the index toward 74,200-74,500. However, a breach of the support zone may trigger renewed selling pressure. Traders should monitor the 73,500-74,000 range and changes in open interest for confirmation of the next move.

    Nifty 50 Technical Outlook

    The Nifty 50 remains under short-term selling pressure with a corrective trend, and the weekly structure indicates weakness. The daily RSI at 34 reflects weak momentum. A meaningful recovery would require sustained buying interest. The immediate hurdle is at 23,350, followed by resistance at 23,500-23,600. On the downside, support lies at 23,050-22,960, with 22,800 as the next important level. A decisive breakdown below 23,000 on higher volumes would reinforce the bearish structure.

    Bank Nifty Technical Outlook

    The Bank Nifty declined 1.38% and extended its losing streak to five consecutive weeks, trading below key moving averages. The immediate support is at 55,000, and a break below could bring 54,400 into focus. On the upside, 56,800 remains the key resistance. Experts suggest a “sell on rise” strategy as long as the index stays below this resistance. A bounce toward 56,100-56,200 could provide an opportunity to initiate fresh short positions.

  • 5 IPOs to Open for Subscription This Week: Shah Investor’s Home, SRIT India, and More

    5 IPOs to Open for Subscription This Week: Shah Investor’s Home, SRIT India, and More

    Primary Market Heats Up With Five IPO Openings

    The Indian primary market is set for a busy week as five initial public offerings (IPOs) open for subscription between September 28 and September 30. Investors will have the opportunity to bid on a mix of SME and mainboard issues across sectors.

    Shah Investor’s Home IPO Opens September 28

    Shah Investor’s Home kicks off its IPO on September 28, with the subscription window closing on September 30. The company has set a price band of ₹159–167 per share and aims to raise ₹90.17 crore. Shares are expected to list on the exchanges on October 6.

    In the unofficial grey market, the company’s shares were trading at a premium of ₹10–12 during September 23–26, according to trackers. Grey market premiums are speculative and do not guarantee listing prices.

    SRIT India IPO Also Opens September 28

    SRIT India’s ₹218.40-crore IPO also opens on September 28 and closes on September 30. The price band has been fixed at ₹123–130 per share, with listing scheduled for October 6.

    Grey market interest grew through last week. IPO Watch reported a GMP of ₹13 on September 24, ₹22 on September 25, and ₹32 on September 26.

    Three More IPOs Open on September 30

    Nityas Gems & Jewellery

    Nityas Gems & Jewellery will open its ₹108.35-crore IPO on September 30 and close on October 5. The price band is ₹70–75, with listing scheduled for October 8. Its reported GMP stood at ₹0 on September 27.

    Vishal Nirmiti

    Vishal Nirmiti’s IPO also opens September 30 and closes October 5. The price band is fixed at ₹208–220 per share. The issue includes a fresh issue of up to 69.71 lakh shares and an offer for sale of 15 lakh shares, bringing the total issue size to ₹178 crore at the upper price band.

    Paramount Syntex

    Paramount Syntex is scheduled to open on September 30 and close on October 6. This SME IPO carries a price band of ₹119–127 and an issue size of ₹81.79 crore. Its shares are slated to list on October 9.

    IPO Activity to Remain Elevated

    With all five issues entering their subscription windows this week, investors will gain fresh demand data as bidding progresses. Last week, most of these companies were in the pre-IPO phase, with grey market activity providing unofficial signals. Actual subscription figures will be available once the IPOs open.

    Stay tuned for updates on these and other primary market offerings.

  • Key Sectors Investors Are Monitoring Amid Shifting Market Conditions

    Key Sectors Investors Are Monitoring Amid Shifting Market Conditions

    As market conditions evolve, investors are keeping a close watch on several major sectors that influence earnings, valuations, and growth expectations. Below is an overview of the sectors currently under the spotlight.

    Banking and Financial Services

    Banks and financial companies remain closely watched as interest rates, credit growth, asset quality, and economic activity influence earnings and valuations.

    Information Technology

    IT stocks remain important as global technology spending, artificial intelligence adoption, outsourcing demand, and currency movements shape revenue growth expectations.

    Automobiles

    Automobile stocks are influenced by consumer demand, input costs, interest rates, vehicle launches, electric mobility, and changing purchasing preferences across India.

    Pharmaceuticals

    Pharmaceutical companies attract attention as investors track healthcare demand, export opportunities, regulatory developments, drug pipelines, and changing global market conditions.

    Energy

    Energy stocks remain sensitive to crude oil prices, government policies, global demand, refining margins, and the transition towards cleaner energy sources.

    Infrastructure

    Infrastructure companies are being watched amid continued spending on roads, railways, airports, construction, and urban development across India’s expanding economy.

    Consumer Goods

    Consumer companies depend heavily on household spending, inflation, rural demand, urban consumption, and input costs that can influence margins and growth.

    Telecommunications

    Telecom stocks remain significant as companies invest in network expansion, 5G services, data consumption, and digital infrastructure while managing capital requirements.

    Metals and Mining

    Metal and mining companies are affected by commodity prices, global industrial demand, infrastructure activity, export conditions, and fluctuations in production costs.

  • Artemis Medicare Stock Hits Record High, Surges 14% on Heavy Trading Volume

    Artemis Medicare Stock Hits Record High, Surges 14% on Heavy Trading Volume

    Shares of Artemis Medicare Services reached a new all-time high on Friday, September 25, climbing as much as 14% to Rs. 378.40 on the BSE. The rally pushed the stock past its previous peak of Rs. 361.50, set on September 10, and extended a strong year for the hospital operator.

    The stock has gained nearly 40% in 2026, while the broader Sensex index has dropped around 12% over the same period. From its 52-week low of Rs. 202.85 touched in April, Artemis Medicare has now recovered approximately 87%.

    Heavy Trading Drives the Rally

    Trading volumes were notably high on Friday. Around 11:38 AM, the stock was trading 10% higher at Rs. 365.55 even as the broader market remained flat. Approximately 12.75 million shares changed hands across the NSE and BSE, representing nearly 8% of the company’s total equity.

    Artemis Medicare operates more than 800 hospital beds, primarily in the Delhi-NCR region. Its flagship hospital in Gurugram has over 700 beds and holds both JCI and NABH accreditation. The company also runs a cardiac-care joint venture with Philips and has a presence in Mauritius.

    The Gurugram facility continues to benefit from improved bed utilization, higher earnings per bed, and steady demand for specialized treatments. A new hospital in Raipur, which opened in July, adds another growth market. International patients from the Middle East, Africa, and the CIS region continue to contribute to demand.

    Brokerage Sees More Room to Grow

    InCred Equities has initiated coverage on the stock with a target price of Rs. 437. The brokerage expects revenue, EBITDA, and profit to grow between 23% and 28% annually through FY28, supported by new beds from the Raipur hospital and the upcoming Gurgaon Tower IV project.

    Artemis has also approved a plan to raise up to Rs. 700 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) for future acquisitions, though no specific deal has been announced yet. With new capacity coming online and funds available for acquisitions, Artemis Medicare appears well-positioned to remain in the spotlight in the coming months.

  • India’s 7.8% GDP Growth and the 3,300-Point Sensex Drop: Understanding the Disconnect

    India’s 7.8% GDP Growth and the 3,300-Point Sensex Drop: Understanding the Disconnect

    India’s economy grew at a robust 7.8% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, but the stock market failed to celebrate. The Sensex, India’s benchmark equity index, lost approximately 3,300 points since August 31, and the Nifty 50 shed nearly 1,000 points. The sharp divergence between macroeconomic strength and market performance has left many investors puzzled.

    According to the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, the Q1 FY27 GDP data was released on August 31. On that day, the Sensex closed at 76,957 and the Nifty at 24,080. By the morning of September 25, the Sensex had fallen to around 73,675 and the Nifty to about 23,075.

    Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, attributed the market correction to three major factors: global macro pressure, crude oil and currency stress, and premium valuations combined with domestic sector pressures.

    Global Macro Pressure

    Rising US Treasury yields have made dollar-denominated assets more attractive, prompting global investors to shift funds away from emerging markets like India. This “risk-off” environment has created sustained liquidity pressure on Indian equities.

    Crude Oil and Currency Stress

    Geopolitical tensions have pushed crude oil prices higher. As a major importer of crude, India faces increased inflation and external balance pressures. A weakening rupee further raises the cost of dollar-denominated energy imports, adding to the strain.

    Premium Valuations and Domestic Sector Pressures

    Corporate earnings expectations have been hit across several key sectors. IT companies are contending with softer Western technology spending, while banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) face higher funding costs. Additionally, investors have been booking profits after strong rallies, especially in stocks where valuations appeared stretched.

    “The market reacted to the classic ‘buy the rumour, sell the news’ dynamic,” Srivastava said, noting that institutional desks trimmed positions following the GDP announcement.

    The market’s response underscores a key distinction: GDP measures recent economic activity, but equities continuously price future earnings, liquidity, and global risk. Analysts expect volatility to persist, linked to crude prices, bond yields, currency movements, and foreign capital flows.

  • Moneyview IPO Day 1: 37% Subscription with Grey Market Premium Soaring to 42%

    Moneyview IPO Day 1: 37% Subscription with Grey Market Premium Soaring to 42%

    Moneyview’s initial public offering (IPO) received bids for 37% of the shares on offer by 11:25 a.m. on September 24, according to NSE data. The Bengaluru-based fintech company has set a price band of Rs. 32–34 per share, and the bidding window will close on September 28.

    Moneyview IPO Subscription and Grey Market Premium

    Investors bid for 8,62,08,003 shares against 23,25,24,175 shares available at the time of the NSE snapshot. Retail investors subscribed to 55% of their allotted shares, while non-institutional investors subscribed to 43%. These figures cover only the opening hours of the three-day offer.

    Moneyview shares carried a grey market premium (GMP) of about Rs. 14 on the morning of September 24, according to InvestorGain. That was roughly 42% above the top of the Rs. 34 price band and pointed to an estimated price of Rs. 48 per share. An earlier report put the premium near 32%, showing that quoted GMP figures can change. Grey market trades are unofficial, and their prices do not determine where a stock will list.

    Issue Size, Price Band and Key Dates

    The Moneyview IPO totals about Rs. 1,092 crore, comprising a fresh issue of Rs. 750 crore and an offer for sale of about Rs. 341.68 crore. Under the offer for sale, existing shareholders will sell shares; Moneyview will receive the proceeds from the fresh issue.

    Investors can bid in lots of 441 shares. At the upper price of Rs. 34, one lot costs Rs. 14,994. The company expects to finalise the allotment on September 29 and list its shares on the BSE and NSE on October 1, under the tentative timetable.

    Before public bidding began, Moneyview raised Rs. 327.5 crore from anchor investors by allotting 9.63 crore shares at Rs. 34 each. Participants included SBI Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential AMC, HDFC AMC, Goldman Sachs and Amundi Funds.

    How Moneyview Plans to Use the Proceeds

    Moneyview plans to put Rs. 325 crore from the fresh issue toward loan disbursals under default loss guarantee arrangements. It also plans to invest Rs. 250 crore in its subsidiary, Whizdm Finance, to strengthen the lender’s capital base. The company has earmarked the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

    The company connects customers with banks, non-banking lenders, insurers and other financial firms through its digital platform. Its products include personal loans, insurance, credit cards and digital gold. Moneyview reported 14.03 crore registered users and 48 financial partners as of June 2026.

    Financial Performance and IPO Managers

    For the June 2026 quarter, consolidated net profit rose to Rs. 173.8 crore from Rs. 67.2 crore a year earlier. Revenue from operations increased 50.2% to Rs. 1,041.1 crore. For the year ended March 2026, profit rose 1.2% to Rs. 244.1 crore, while revenue grew 43.3% to Rs. 3,351.2 crore.

    Axis Capital, BofA Securities India, IIFL Capital Services and Kotak Mahindra Capital Company are managing the IPO. Public bidding remains open through September 28, with final subscription figures due after the offer closes.

  • US Stock Futures Decline as Traders Increase Bets on October Fed Rate Hike

    US Stock Futures Decline as Traders Increase Bets on October Fed Rate Hike

    US stock futures fell Thursday, September 24, as rising Treasury yields and oil prices renewed concerns about inflation and further Federal Reserve rate increases. A drop in Oracle shares added pressure on technology stocks before the opening bell.

    Why are US Stock Futures Falling?

    NASDAQ-100 futures fell about 1% in early trading. S&P 500 futures lost 0.6%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures declined 159 points, or 0.3%. The moves pointed to a second day of losses for the US stock market after all three major indexes closed lower on Wednesday.

    The S&P 500 ended Wednesday at 7,706.03, down 0.75%. The NASDAQ Composite fell 1.13% to 26,936.04, and the Dow dropped 352.10 points to 51,511.59. Thursday’s futures figures remained subject to change before regular trading began.

    Oracle shares fell more than 5% before the bell after Bloomberg reported that the company had cited force majeure in connection with a New Mexico data center project. According to the report, the provision could protect Oracle if construction faces delays. The reported step drew attention to the timing and cost of data centers used for artificial intelligence.

    How are Treasury Yields and Oil Prices Affecting Stocks?

    The 10-year Treasury yield rose to about 5.15%, near a level last reached in 2007. Meanwhile, the 30-year yield touched 5.446%, its highest level since 2004. Bond yields rise when prices fall, and higher yields can increase borrowing costs for households and businesses.

    Oil also moved higher. Brent crude futures gained approximately 1% to USD 105 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures rose about 1% to around USD 93. Higher fuel and transport costs can feed into the prices companies charge customers.

    Traders increased their expectations for another Federal Reserve rate increase. CME FedWatch pricing put the chance of an October hike above 70%, compared with roughly 55% a week earlier. These figures reflect market positions and can change quickly; they do not indicate a decision by the Fed.

    UBS Global Wealth Management strategists said Thursday that they expected energy disruption to remain limited. They also cautioned that market volatility could continue as investors assessed inflation, government debt and spending on artificial intelligence.

    What Did the US Jobless Claims Report Show?

    The Labor Department reported 197,000 initial unemployment claims for the week ending September 19. That was 1,000 fewer than the previous week’s revised total of 198,000. The earlier figure had first been reported as 196,000, which explains why some accounts described the new total as an increase.

    Continuing claims reached 1.719 million for the week ending September 12, up 2,000 from the revised prior-week figure. The four-week average of initial claims fell to 202,250. Together, the figures showed that claims remained low even as investors watched for any change in hiring or layoffs.

    Investors also weighed strong readings from S&P Global’s US business surveys. In a Wednesday note, BMO Capital Markets strategist Vail Hartman said the data gave policy rates and Treasury yields room to move higher. He warned that stronger demand could add to inflation pressure, although that outcome remains uncertain.

    What Else are US Stock Market Investors Watching?

    President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping were due to meet Thursday in Washington. Trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and the Iran war were among the expected topics. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the countries had agreed to extend their trade truce through January 10, beyond its previous November expiry. Investors awaited further details from the meeting.

    Corporate results offered another focus. Darden Restaurants shares fell after its quarterly results missed expectations, while Costco was scheduled to report after Thursday’s closing bell. The combination of earnings, bond yields and oil prices gave investors several developments to assess as regular US trading approached.

    Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance on cryptocurrencies and stocks. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be risky, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more about the financial risks involved here.