US equity futures are modestly lower though paring most of earlier losses, with Asian markets mostly lower and European equities trading softer. US markets were driven by renewed downside pressure in growth and technology. Weak US labor market signals took center stage, as job openings fell to their lowest level since 2020 and layoffs surged to the highest January reading since the global financial crisis, triggering a pronounced rally in Treasuries and reinforcing curve steepening dynamics. The risk-off backdrop spilled into crypto and precious metals, with Bitcoin posting its sharpest drop since late 2022 and silver seeing an outsized decline. Meanwhile, investors continued to reassess positioning as elevated volatility, softer economic data and crowded trades weighed on sentiment, despite relative resilience in select defensive and rate-sensitive sectors.

Companies Mentioned: Boeing, Apple, Lukoil, Chevron Carlyle