S&P 500 future is down (1.7%) and Nasdaq 100 future is down (2%) as of now, both pointing to a sharply lower open today, as geopolitical tensions and tariff concerns continue to mount. Asian equities ended mostly lower on Tuesday with Japan leading the declines. European markets also opened broadly lower with major benchmarks down over 1%.

Companies Mentioned: Viiv Healthcare, Ardelyx, Rapt Therapeutics, Google

US equity futures point to a modestly firmer open. Asian markets were mixed, while European equities were trading lower. Today’s focus is on improving sentiment around AI and select cyclicals, with strong results and capex guidance from TSMC underpinning semiconductors and AI-linked names, while investment bank earnings provided support for financials. At the same time, oil retreated as geopolitical risk premiums faded after President Trump signaled he would hold off on Iran strikes, easing pressure across energy markets. Meanwhile, firmer US economic data and upbeat regional manufacturing surveys reinforced the narrative of economic resilience, prompting a backup in short-end yields and keeping expectations for rate cuts in 2026 more restrained, even as Fed officials continued to strike a cautious but broadly balanced tone on inflation and growth.

Companies Mentioned: Ford Motor, JPMorgan Chase, Ferrari

US equity futures point to a steadier open. Asian markets traded mixed overnight, while European equity opened mixed. Today’s focus is on a rotation away from mega-cap technology toward small caps, cyclicals, and defensives, with breadth improving as equal-weight indices outperformed despite headline index weakness. Bank earnings for a second day failed to impress, reinforcing pressure on money-center banks, while ongoing volatility was driven by mixed macro signals, geopolitical uncertainty around Iran and Venezuela, and continued scrutiny of housing affordability and defense spending from the White House. Policy remains a key theme as Fed officials delivered mixed messages on the timing of further easing, data showed resilient consumer demand alongside softer labor-market indicators, and markets continued to wait on a US Supreme Court decision related to tariff authority, alongside renewed attention on recently announced tariffs on advanced semiconductor imports not tied to domestic AI use.

Companies Mentioned: Nvidia, Calavo Growers, Coca-Cola

S&P futures are down (0.2%) and pointing to a slightly lower open today. Asian equities ended mostly higher on Wednesday. Japan’s Nikkei surged on election speculation and yen weakness, while Greater China markets traded mix as Chinese authorities moved to raise margin finance ratios, dampening enthusiasm. European markets continue to advance in early trading.

Companies Mentioned: Apple, Qualcomm, Genco Shipping, Cerebras Systems

S&P futures are pointing to a flat open today, as markets brace for December CPI data and the kickoff of earnings season with major banks reporting. Asian equities ended mostly higher on Tuesday. Japan’s Nikkei surged over +3%, driven by snap election speculation and yen weakness. Australia and Taiwan also posted gains, while Thailand was the only major market to close lower. European markets are mixed with the STOXX 600 hitting a fresh all-time high. The CAC is weighed by political uncertainty in France.

Companies Mentioned: TSMC, NVIDIA, Lululemon

S&P futures are down (0.7%) and pointing to a lower open today. Asian equities ended Monday trading broadly higher. Mainland China and Hong Kong technology stocks led the rally after policy announcements supported several sectors. Australia and Taiwan also posted gains, while Thailand was the only major market to close lower. European markets are mostly lower in early trading. The Sentix investor confidence index for the Eurozone, due today, will provide insight into early 2026 sentiment, though caution persists following a downward trend at the end of 2025.

Companies Mentioned: Warner Bros. Discovery, Sun Country Airlines, Prudential Financial, AT&T, Verizon

US equity futures point to a flat open ahead of key payrolls risk, with Asian markets mostly higher and European equities trading firmer. Today focus is on elevated event risk ahead of Friday’s US payrolls report, a potential Supreme Court ruling on IEEPA tariffs as soon as Friday, and the start of Q4 earnings next week led by major banks. Defense stocks outperformed following renewed discussion of a 50% increase in Pentagon spending, reinforcing a broader pro-cyclical rotation away from mega-cap technology. In addition, reports that China may approve limited Nvidia H200 chip imports as early as Q1 are being monitored alongside ongoing rare-earth and export-control tensions, while markets also remain focused on the Fed chair nomination timeline and the US 10-year yield approaching the 4.2% level.

Companies Mentioned: Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Boeing, Strava, Inc.

US equity futures point to a softer open, with Asian markets generally weaker and European equities narrowly mixed. Today’s focus is on a pause in the recent pro-cyclical rally as geopolitical risks and upcoming event risk weigh on sentiment. Energy and financials underperformed amid renewed uncertainty around Venezuela developments, while Trump’s social media comments on restricting institutional housing investment and curbing defense-sector buybacks added to sector-specific volatility. Moreover, macro data sent mixed signals, leaving Fed expectations broadly unchanged. Investors are now looking ahead to Friday’s payrolls report, the pending Supreme Court ruling on Trump tariffs, and the next round of earnings and policy decisions as near-term catalysts.

Companies Mentioned: Nvidia, Chevron, Eli Lilly, Ventyx Biosciences

US equity futures mixed with S&P down 0.1%, following Tuesday's gains, which saw new ATH for Dow and S&P logged its first fresh record close since 24-Dec. Bonds firmer. US 10-year yields down, 2-year flat. Dollar is little changed. Oil down. Gold lower. Industrial metals mixed. Bitcoin is softer. Elsewhere, European equity markets are mostly firmer and Asia's are mixed. Sentiment remains bullish. More sell-side commentary are on Tuesday talking up valuation argument for European stocks. In addition, underlying resilience in macro backdrop another supportive factor. AI-narrative into the new year has focused on the positives rather than the risks. Geopolitical environment is febrile, yet implications for equity markets appear limited for now. President Trump said on social media that Venezuela will send 30-50M barrels of oil to US at market prices and proceeds to be controlled by Trump.

Companies mentioned: Lukoil, Mobileye Global, Meta Platforms, Chevron

US equity futures firmer with S&P pointing up. US yield down on both short and long ends. Gilts up, dollar is softer, oil is down, gold up. Industrial metals higher. Bitcoin extends recent move back. Asia equities ended mostly higher again Tuesday and European equity markets are mostly firmer, following Monday's positive close. Market is looking through recent geopolitical developments. Strength in cyclicals, tech gains and resource stocks supporting regional equity markets. Defense stocks benefiting from geopolitics and ongoing push across Europe to ramp up defense spending. In general, sentiment positive, with leading benchmarks have been extending to new record highs on Monday. Sell-side remains optimistic on outlook amid stable macro picture, better earnings expectations.

Companies mentioned: NVIDIA, Hyundai Motor