Futures Edge Higher as Rate Cut Speculation Grows U.S. stock futures saw modest gains early Friday, continuing Thursday’s rally, which pushed equities to their highest levels this month. Data released bolstered expectations of a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Federal Reserve next week, keeping investors optimistic.
As of 03:34 ET (07:34 GMT), Dow futures were up 61 points (0.2%), S&P 500 futures gained 8 points (0.2%), and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 17 points (0.1%).
On Thursday, the S&P 500 advanced 41 points (0.8%), the Nasdaq gained 174 points (1.0%), and the Dow climbed 235 points (0.6%). Sentiment was driven by producer price data, which showed higher-than-expected gains in August, raising concerns that the Fed might not implement the expected 50-basis-point rate cut. The CME Group’s FedWatch Tool indicates a 57% chance of a 25-basis-point cut and a 43% chance for a 50-basis-point reduction.
Boeing Faces Strike as Workers Demand Higher Pay Over 30,000 Boeing workers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest voted to strike, starting Friday, citing unsatisfactory pay offers. This work stoppage, Boeing’s first major strike since 2008, presents new challenges for the company as it faces increased scrutiny over quality control issues. The strike could cause significant disruptions, adding to the $1.3 billion the company lost during the last strike.
Oracle Surges on Strong Revenue Outlook Oracle shares jumped over 6% in extended trading after the company announced a stronger-than-expected revenue forecast of $66 billion for its 2026 fiscal year, surpassing analysts’ estimates of $64.5 billion. Oracle has seen increased demand in cloud computing, driven by the growing AI sector, positioning the company as one of the top-performing software stocks of the year, with shares up 53% year-to-date.
Adobe Shares Drop on Lower Revenue Guidance Adobe’s fourth-quarter revenue guidance fell short of analysts’ expectations, causing shares to dip in after-hours trading. The company projected revenue between $5.50 billion and $5.55 billion, below forecasts of $5.61 billion, amid subdued demand and cost-conscious customers due to economic uncertainties.
Oil Prices Rise Amid Supply Concerns Oil prices climbed in European trading on Friday as supply disruption fears from Hurricane Francine boosted prices. However, concerns over slowing demand continue to temper gains. Brent futures rose 0.5% to $72.34 per barrel, while WTI crude increased 0.5% to $68.50. Both contracts are on track for a positive close this week if the gains hold.
For OptionsPlayers.com members, today’s news highlights the continued influence of rate cut expectations on market momentum, while company-specific events, such as Boeing’s strike and Oracle’s strong outlook, create additional opportunities and risks for traders to monitor. Keep an eye on how commodities react to supply concerns and potential demand slowdowns.
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