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Global Markets Rattle as Oil Spikes and U.S. Futures Sink Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict

  Markets are sliding as geopolitical tensions intensify, with U.S. stock futures turning sharply lower and oil prices surging above the $100 mark. Investors are reacting to escalating conflict in the Middle East, which is raising fears of disrupted energy supplies and renewed inflation pressures.  Market Overview Dow Jones futures fell roughly 0.8% , extending a multi‑day downturn. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures each slipped about 0.6% , paring earlier, deeper losses.  The declines reflect mounting investor anxiety as geopolitical risks overshadow recent economic data. Oil Surges on Supply Fears Crude oil spiked above $100 per barrel before easing slightly. The surge followed Iran’s expanded attacks on energy infrastructure , prompting Iraq to close key oil terminals after tanker strikes.  Higher oil prices are stoking concerns about inflation , complicating expectations for future Federal Reserve policy. What’s Driving the Selloff The widening Mi...

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US Futures Recover as Tech Sector Leads the Way

 

US stock futures are pointing to a rebound from recent losses, with investors looking to fresh quarterly earnings for inspiration amid dwindling hopes for an early 2024 interest rate cut. S&P 500 futures added around 0.4%, while those on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 jumped 0.7%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures hugged the flatline. 

Techs are in the vanguard after a bullish AI-fueled revenue outlook from TSMC, a key supplier to Apple and Nvidia. The Taiwanese contract chipmaker’s profit fell but beat Wall Street estimates. Shares of AMD and other chipmakers stepped higher in premarket as TSMC put on almost 7%. 

Stocks are still struggling to get off the ground this year as central bankers’ comments and mixed economic data put investors’ faith in a Federal Reserve pivot to the test. The odds of a rate cut in March as seen by traders have dropped 10 percentage points from a week ago, per the CME FedWatch Tool (Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group).

Investors are on the lookout for fresh data to feed their expectations, so Thursday’s release of readings on weekly jobless claims will be in focus. Housing starts and building permits for December are also on the docket. Eyes will also be on Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, scheduled to appear twice today and closely watched for any deviation from his colleagues’ pushback on rate-cut bets.


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