Stock market today: Japan’s Nikkei dips as oil prices surge, Wall Street futures fall ahead of Apple earnings
S&P500 futures fell 0.28 percent and Nasdaq futures dipped 0.27 percent as stronger-than-expected earnings from major tech giants offered only modest reassurance to investors
Asian stock markets declined on Thursday as investors assessed a sharp rise in oil prices, uneven corporate earnings and a cautious stance from the Federal Reserve on future policy moves. U.S. stocks finished largely flat overnight, while futures linked to major tech indices edged higher during Asian trading hours.
Across the region, technology shares showed mixed performance, reflecting inconsistent investor reactions to earnings from major U.S. tech companies.
Wall Street futures dip as investors await Apple earnings
On Wall Street, S&P500 futures fell 0.28 percent to $7,148.25 and Nasdaq futures dipped 0.27 percent to $27,251.25 as stronger-than-expected earnings from major tech giants offered only modest reassurance to investors, who are now awaiting Apple’s results.
Alphabet reported stronger-than-expected earnings, pushing its shares up over 7 percent in after-hours trading. Microsoft and Amazon also delivered solid results, reinforcing optimism ahead of Apple’s upcoming earnings release later Thursday.
In contrast, Meta Platforms underwhelmed investors after raising its annual capital expenditure forecast, signaling heavier spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure. The announcement weighed on sentiment, sending its shares down 7 percent despite broader strength in the tech sector.
European futures fall ahead of ECB update
In the European stock market, futures also pointed to a weaker start, with the pan-regional benchmark down 0.8 percent, as markets prepared for policy updates from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. Both are expected to signal concerns about persistent inflation and the possibility of higher-for-longer interest rates.
Sentiment was further shaped by the Federal Reserve’s latest decision to hold rates steady. However, the vote revealed notable internal division, with three Fed officials supporting the removal of the central bank’s easing bias, marking the most split policy decision since 1992.
Read: Gold prices rise to $4,547.86 as gains remain capped by stronger dollar, inflation concerns
Japan’s Nikkei dips as KOSPI falls from record high
In the Asian stock market, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.14 percent, while the broader TOPIX index declined 1.45 percent, reflecting weaker regional risk appetite. In China, the Shanghai Composite gained 0.12 percent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.24 percent amid broader market caution.
Oil remained a dominant driver of sentiment, with Brent crude climbing above $124 a barrel as tensions escalated following the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Reports on Wednesday indicated that Donald Trump is pushing allies to support a “Maritime Freedom Construct” aimed at reopening the waterway, even as Washington reportedly anticipates a potentially prolonged disruption.
Markets were also digesting the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, in what is expected to be his final press conference as chair, warned that inflation risks remain elevated due to rising energy costs. He also confirmed he will stay on the Fed’s board as a governor after stepping down from the top role.
South Korea’s KOSPI slipped 1.17 percent after earlier touching a record intraday high of 6,750.27 points, supported by strong earnings from Samsung Electronics. Samsung shares also reached a record level during Thursday’s session before giving up gains later in the day.
The company reported its highest-ever quarterly profit, fueled by robust demand for AI-related memory chips, highlighting continued strength in the semiconductor sector despite broader regional market weakness.
