Asia Rises, Europe Mixed, While Crude Jumps 2.1% - Global Markets Today While US Was Sleeping

On Thursday, October 26, the U.S. stock markets closed in the red as investors processed mixed quarterly earnings and indications of economic resilience.

In economic data, the U.S. economy expanded at an annualized rate of 4.9% in Q3, surpassing expectations of 4.3%, while initial jobless claims rose by 10,000 to 210,000 in the week ending October 21, slightly exceeding the estimated 208,000.

The Nasdaq saw its largest percentage drop, primarily due to the underperformance of the “magnificent seven” mega-cap stocks, driven by uncertain earnings guidance and the expectation of prolonged high interest rates.

Among the S&P 500’s 11 major sectors, communication services experienced the biggest drop, down 2.6%, while real estate saw the most significant gain, up 2.2%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 0.76% to 32,784.30, the S&P 500 was down 1.18% to 4,137.23, while the Nasdaq Composite slid 1.76% and closed at 12,595.61.

Asian Markets Today

• Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed 1.38% higher at 30,991.69 on Friday, led by gains in the Transportation Equipment, Chemical, Petroleum & Plastic and Shipbuilding sectors. Tokyo’s core consumer prices increased by 2.7% compared to the same month last year.
• Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.21%, closing the session at 6,826.90, led by gains in the Gold, Consumer Staples and Utilities sectors. Australia published its producer price index for Q3, reporting year-on-year growth of 3.8% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 1.8%.
• China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.99% to close the session at 3,017.78, while the Shenzhen CSI 300 climbed 1.27%, closing at 3,562.39.
• Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was up 2.14% and closed at 17,400.00.

Eurozone at 06:15 AM ET

• The European STOXX 600 index was up 0.10%.
• Germany’s DAX rose 0.59%.
• France’s CAC declined 0.84%.
• The U.K.’s FTSE 100 traded lower by 0.11%.

Commodities at 06:15 AM ET

• Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 2.15% at $85/bbl, and Brent was up by 2.17% at $89.84/bbl.
• Natural Gas gained 2.85% to $3.576.
• Gold was trading lower by 0.09% at $1995.60, Silver gained 0.21% to $22.953, and Copper was up 0.87% to $3.6158.

US Futures at 06:15 AM ET

Dow futures were up 0.25%, S&P 500 futures gained 0.58% and Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.98%.

Forex at 06:15 AM ET

The U.S. Dollar Index declined 0.06% to 106.54. USD/JPY slid 0.24% to 150.02, and AUD/USD was down 0.49% to 1.5742.