HG MARKETS:

U.S. stock futures edged slightly higher on Friday as investors awaited the release of key inflation data that could shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate decisions. Dow Jones futures were up 65 points or 0.1%, S&P 500 futures gained 24 points or 0.5%, and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 140 points or 0.6%. Wall Street ended in positive territory on Thursday, supported by President Donald Trump’s confirmation that he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea later this month. The S&P 500 is up about 1.1% for the week, while both the NASDAQ Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average have risen nearly 1.2%.

Investors remained cautious ahead of the delayed release of September’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), postponed due to the prolonged U.S. government shutdown. The inflation reading carries extra weight, as it may influence the Federal Reserve’s policy direction ahead of next week’s meeting. Markets expect the Fed to cut interest rates by 25 basis points in October and again in December. ING analyst Francesco Pesole noted that while tariffs may be pushing prices higher in some sectors, weaker airfares, hospitality, and housing costs could weigh on inflation, keeping headline and core CPI near 3.0%.

Market participants are also closely watching for any signals of deeper rate cuts, as futures markets have already priced in 50 basis points of easing by year-end. However, with limited data available due to the shutdown, speculation beyond December remains difficult. The CPI report is seen as crucial in filling the data gap left by disrupted government statistics, offering the first significant insight into price trends in weeks.

Sentiment improved further after the White House confirmed that President Trump will meet Xi Jinping during the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea. The announcement lifted investor optimism for a potential thaw in U.S.–China trade tensions following recent tariff threats and export restrictions. However, Trump also stated that trade talks with Canada had been terminated, accusing Ottawa of misleading conduct related to an advertisement involving former President Ronald Reagan.

On the corporate front, Intel shares surged in premarket trading after the semiconductor giant reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings, supported by major cost-cutting efforts. The results marked the company’s first since receiving substantial investments from Nvidia, SoftBank, and the U.S. government. Ford stock also gained after posting better-than-expected quarterly profits driven by strong demand for SUVs and pickup trucks. Meanwhile, Target shares edged higher as the retailer announced a restructuring plan involving the elimination of about 1,800 corporate roles, roughly 8% of its global headquarters workforce.