Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei down 2.72%, Shanghai Composite down 0.53% Hang Seng up 1.27% ASX up 0.92%
- Commodities : Gold at $4,020.90 (-0.44%) Silver at $57.585 (0.11%), Brent Oil at 85.22 (3.83%), WTI Oil at 82.59 (4.21%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.611, UK 10-year yield at 4.9519, Germany 10-year yield at 3.1087
News & Data:
- (USD) CB Consumer Confidence
- 90.8 to 92.4 expected
Markets Update:
U.S. stock futures edged lower on Wednesday as oil prices climbed following an Iranian missile attack targeting American forces in the Middle East, while heavy selling in semiconductor stocks pushed South Korea’s markets sharply lower.
S&P 500 futures slipped 0.12%, Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.49%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures lost about 60 points, or 0.1%.
South Korea’s Kospi tumbled more than 8%, weighed down by major chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, triggering a trading halt. The Kosdaq also dropped over 8%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 2.2%, while the Topix fell 0.61%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index outperformed, rising 1.4%, whereas China’s CSI 300 lost 0.73%.
West Texas Intermediate crude gained roughly 4% to trade near $82 per barrel after U.S. Central Command said Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces launched multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. bases. Officials said all missiles were intercepted.
Among corporate movers, Ford surged 4% in extended trading after beating earnings estimates and raising its 2026 outlook. Visa slipped about 1% following weaker-than-expected guidance.
Investors are now focused on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and Chair Kevin Warsh’s press conference. Fed funds futures indicate a nearly 70% chance rates remain unchanged at 3.5%-3.75%.
Markets also await earnings from Procter & Gamble, Humana, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Qualcomm, while investors continue watching chip stocks after the VanEck Semiconductor ETF fell 3.5% Tuesday, extending its weekly decline beyond 9%.
Upcoming Events:
- 6:00 PM GMT – USD Federal Funds Rate
