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Wall Street Futures Rise on Bank Earnings and Rate-Cut Optimism

U.S. stock futures climbed Wednesday as strong bank earnings and renewed hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts helped ease investor concerns over U.S.-China tensions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained over 200 points in premarket trading, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 also advanced, buoyed by optimism surrounding the start of earnings season. Bank of America reported a 23% jump in profit, joining other major lenders in posting robust results that reassured markets about the financial sector’s resilience. Investors are also betting on potential interest-rate cuts as the Federal Reserve faces mounting pressure to support growth amid trade frictions and a prolonged U.S. government shutdown. The combination of strong corporate performance and policy optimism has lifted sentiment after a volatile session earlier in the week. Global markets mirrored the upbeat tone, with Asian and European equities edging higher, while the dollar weakened and gold prices steadied. Analysts ...
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French PM Freezes Pension Reform to Secure Budget Backing

French PM Sebastien Lecornu delivers his first general policy speech in front of the parliament and the new government at the National Assembly in Paris

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced the suspension of President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial 2023 pension reform, a move aimed at shoring up parliamentary support for his government’s 2026 budget.

The reform, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, had sparked widespread protests and political turmoil across France. Lecornu told lawmakers that the measure will now be put on hold until after the 2027 presidential election, ensuring no further increases to the retirement age in the meantime.

The decision comes amid mounting pressure from opposition parties, particularly the Socialists, who had threatened to back no-confidence motions unless the reform was shelved. By conceding, Lecornu has bought his fragile government breathing space to push through a much-needed budget while avoiding immediate collapse.

While the suspension eases tensions in the short term, it leaves Macron’s flagship reform in limbo and raises questions about the government’s ability to deliver on its long-term economic agenda.



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