A chronological text record of the AI Market Commentator: important releases, breaking developments, market reactions and concise context for the trading day.
Breaking. Markets turn lower as a bond rally fizzles and stocks sink on wagers that the Treasury’s promise to cut borrowing costs may be temporary, while oil prices rise and revive inflation fears.
The Baltic Dry Index is up about 0.5% to 2,791 points, with capesize gaining 1.2% and supramax reaching a July 28 high. Virtu is exploring a sale of its brokerage unit for over $3.5 billion. Uber shares are trading up 2.4% at session highs.
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.23 percent, Nasdaq futures is down 0.42 percent, Dow futures is down 0.59 percent and Russell futures is down 0.62 percent.
US equities are lower: the S&P 500 is down 0.19 percent, the Nasdaq 100 is down 0.39 percent, and Russell futures are down 0.78 percent. In foreign exchange, the dollar is softer; the dollar index is down 0.07 percent, EUR/USD is up 0.05 percent, and USD/JPY is up 0.36 percent. Treasury yields are higher: the five-year yield is at 4.39 percent, up 3.7 basis points; the 10-year yield is at 4.698 percent, up 4.5 basis points; and the 30-year yield is at 5.24 percent, up 4.6 basis points. Volatility is up, with the VIX at 15.87, a 6.58 percent increase. WTI crude is up 2.74 percent, and gold is down 0.4 percent.
Cotton is trading at 89.30 cents per pound, a 28-month high. Separately, OKLO November 95 calls traded at the offer for 74 cents.
Gold and silver show a small pop at the open. Walt Disney shares reached a 14-week high at $107.13, gaining 10.99% over the past four weeks.
XRP is up 18% over 24 hours, with whale wallets accumulating over 300 million tokens in 96 hours. Siemens states its S7 advisory flags misconfiguration exploitation, not new vulnerabilities.
Merck and Moderna report interim Phase 3 data for Moderna’s personalized cancer vaccine met its primary endpoint. Azio AI Holdings announces Atlas One, a 500+ acre site designed for up to 500 MW of behind-the-meter power. Samsung will announce a new shareholder return policy worth about $72 billion later this month.
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.38 percent, Nasdaq futures is down 0.54 percent, Dow futures is down 0.79 percent and Russell futures is down 0.74 percent.
US equities are lower: S&P futures are down 0.38 percent, Nasdaq futures are down 0.54 percent, and Russell futures are down 0.74 percent. In foreign exchange, the dollar is softer; the dollar index is down 0.12 percent, EUR/USD is up 0.12 percent, and USD/JPY is up 0.3 percent. Treasury yields are higher: the 10-year yield is at 4.692 percent, up 3.9 basis points. Volatility is up, with the VIX at 15.84, a 6.38 percent increase. In commodities, WTI crude is up 2.87 percent, and gold is down 0.21 percent.
The Treasury Department proposes eligible investments for Trump accounts. Separately, SuperCom reports winning a third electronic monitoring contract in Texas. Bank7 Corp. announced an 11.11% quarterly dividend increase.
Super Micro Computer states an independent investigation found no evidence current senior management knew of an alleged diversion scheme or direct sales of export-controlled products to restricted parties. INVO Fertility reports five retrospective platelet-rich plasma study abstracts were presented at the Midwest Reproductive Symposium International.
Anthropic's joint venture Ode has acquired AI consultancy Casper Studios. Separately, Alation confirms a cyberattack. Better Home & Finance Holding Company has adopted a limited-duration shareholder rights plan.
Fed's Daly states the Fed is in a good place to watch the data. Separately, Iran's Azizi posted on X that any miscalculation will have more severe consequences. BAML upgraded ETSY to Buy, raising its price target to $105.
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.6 percent, Nasdaq futures is down 0.9 percent, Dow futures is down 0.83 percent and Russell futures is down 0.83 percent.
US equities are lower: S&P futures are down 0.51 percent, Nasdaq futures are down 0.76 percent, and Russell futures are down 0.73 percent. In foreign exchange, the dollar is softer; the dollar index is down 0.06 percent, EUR/USD is up 0.03 percent, and USD/JPY is up 0.41 percent. Treasury yields are higher: the 10-year yield is at 4.704 percent, up 5.1 basis points. Volatility and commodities: the VIX is at 15.96, up 7.19 percent, WTI crude is up 3.63 percent, and gold is down 0.69 percent.
UBS has raised its price target on Iovance Biotherapeutics to $7 from $4, maintaining a Neutral rating. Barclays initiates coverage of Bitdeer with an Overweight rating and a $15 price target. CFTC official Selig states the Clarity Act is the best path for crypto regulation.
Allstate announced July estimated catastrophe losses of $682 million, or $539 million after-tax. Separately, Transocean announced a $300 million contract for an ultra-deepwater drillship. Also, North Korea's Kim Yo Jong dismissed South Korea's drills reduction rationale as a "lame excuse."
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.36 percent, Nasdaq futures is down 0.54 percent, Dow futures is down 0.65 percent and Russell futures is down 0.59 percent.
US equity futures are lower: S&P futures are down 0.36 percent, Nasdaq futures are down 0.54 percent, and Russell futures are down 0.59 percent. In FX, the US Dollar Index is down 0.06 percent, EUR/USD is up 0.05 percent, and USD/JPY is up 0.41 percent. The VIX is at 15.47, up 3.9 percent. WTI crude is up 3.41 percent, and gold is down 0.63 percent.
Arete initiates coverage of MPWR with a Buy rating and a $2,013 price target. Cantor Fitzgerald initiates MIST with an Overweight rating and a $3.00 price target. Deutsche Bank initiates coverage of AMBP with a Hold rating and a $5.20 price target.
BMO has raised price targets on OKTA, MDB, CRM, and PANW. BofA Securities initiates coverage of PRQR with a Buy rating and an $8.00 price target. Piper Sandler initiates MSGE at Neutral with an $86.00 price target.
GUGG raised its price target on S from $24 to $28, maintaining a Buy rating. CART reaffirms its Outperform rating and $65 price target after investor meetings. ARRAY expands into an integrated solar platform, building on APA Solar and a pending AWM acquisition.
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF, ticker SPY, is trading at new intraday lows this afternoon. Separately, Morgan Stanley has downgraded Lila Sciences to Underweight, setting a $7 target. Also, FCX, SCCO, and TECK are linked to a copper squeeze, with the LME seeing its biggest weekly shed flow since 2020.
Allstate reports July 2026 catastrophe losses of $682 million, or $539 million after-tax. Separately, UBS downgrades Merck to Neutral from Buy.
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.16 percent, Nasdaq futures is down 0.28 percent, Dow futures is down 0.31 percent and Russell futures is down 0.28 percent.
US equity futures are lower: S&P futures are down 0.16 percent, Nasdaq futures are down 0.28 percent, and Russell futures are down 0.28 percent. In FX, the dollar index is down 0.1 percent, EUR/USD is up 0.15 percent, and USD/JPY is up 0.29 percent. The VIX is at 15.26, up 2.48 percent. WTI crude is up 3.21 percent, and gold is down 0.13 percent.
The USS George Washington is transiting the Arabian Sea today. Robinhood Markets Inc. shares are moving higher following White House crypto policy updates.
European natural gas prices reached 65 euros per megawatt-hour, the highest level since March. Bitcoin climbed to 71,800 dollars. The US dollar index, DXY, is at 98.68.
Meta is reportedly spending hundreds of millions of dollars annually on Microsoft Azure AI services, consuming trillions of tokens weekly. US stocks are wavering as the Treasury rally loses steam. WTI crude futures touched $87 a barrel, up 3.08% intraday.
MRNA is paring some of yesterday's gain, down 12% in premarket trading. Stifel reiterates Buy on LASR. Barclays downgraded Kuaishou Technology to Underweight.
US equity futures are lower: S&P futures are down 0.05 percent, Nasdaq futures are down 0.05 percent, and Russell futures are down 0.1 percent. In FX, the dollar index is down 0.15 percent, EUR/USD is up 0.09 percent, and USD/JPY is up 0.33 percent. The VIX is at 15.13, up 1.61 percent. WTI crude is up 2.94 percent, and gold is down 0.05 percent.
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.02 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.02 percent, Dow futures is down 0.15 percent and Russell futures is down 0.06 percent.
Barclays upgrades American Tower and Crown Castle to Overweight. Separately, TOL lifts estimates and UBS raises the Street high price target to $195 after solid results.
Walmart's second-quarter adjusted EPS of $0.81 topped the $0.74 estimate, with total revenue excluding FX impact at $187.94 billion against an expected $186.77 billion. However, US comparable sales excluding fuel rose 2.6% versus the 3.8% expected. Separately, Ionis will present new data on severe hypertriglyceridemia management at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026.
Ur-Energy announces its first uranium shipment from the Shirley Basin mine in Wyoming. Separately, Nebius priced upsized $5 billion convertible bond offerings. RARE also secured US FDA approval for its Genglycos gene therapy in GSDIa.
TJX was downgraded to Neutral at Citi. Separately, Sun Communities, ticker SUI, is replacing Webster Financial, ticker WBS, in the S&P 400 at the open today.
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.03 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.07 percent, Dow futures is down 0.13 percent and Russell futures is down 0.1 percent.
US equities are mixed. S&P futures are down 0.02 percent, Nasdaq futures are up 0.13 percent, and Russell futures are down 0.09 percent. In FX, the dollar index is down 0.24 percent, with EUR/USD up 0.22 percent and USD/JPY up 0.13 percent. The VIX is at 15.16, up 1.81 percent. WTI crude is up 2.65 percent, and gold is down 0.01 percent.
SGLY has entered a non-binding strategic framework agreement for a potential 900-acre South Carolina AI data center campus, with about 25 megawatts of existing or near-term grid capacity identified and potential expansion to about 99 megawatts within 24 months. Separately, USO Qatar states its current efforts focus on mediating between the US and Iran.
Qatar is currently focused on mediating between the US and Iran. Transocean announced a two-year contract with ONGC in India for approximately $300 million, with work expected to begin in Q1 2027. Australia has passed a law enabling levies on Meta, Alphabet, and Microsoft if they do not pay for local news.
RBC Capital has downgraded Merck to Sector Perform, raising its price target to $150 from $142. Separately, the AAII weekly survey shows the bull-bear spread narrowing to -4.4% from -3.2% last week, with bulls at 35.5% and bears at 39.9%.
Trans Canada Gold completes Phase 1 drilling at the Harrison Lake District Scale Gold Project and updated underground mine refurbishment. Parsons has been selected for a $350 million seabed-to-space intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance effort. Axios reports CRWD’s CTO is leaving the company to launch an AI-cyber fund.
Binance has launched Agent OS, designed for AI integration with trading and payment functions, extending its platform capabilities into automated, AI-enabled workflows.
Armed men have seized a tanker in the Gulf of Aden. Separately, GBP/USD is up 0.4% at 1.3659, reaching its highest level since February 16th. The German DAX is down 107 points at 25,983, while the Nikkei is up 890 points at 66,216 and the Kospi is up 6.75% at 1,080.
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.04 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.09 percent, Dow futures is down 0.13 percent and Russell futures is down 0.09 percent.
US equity futures are mixed: S&P futures are down 0.07 percent, Nasdaq futures are up 0.05 percent, and Russell futures are down 0.13 percent. In foreign exchange, the dollar is softer, with the dollar index down 0.22 percent. EUR/USD is up 0.27 percent, while USD/JPY is up 0.09 percent. The VIX is at 15.21, up 2.15 percent. WTI crude is up 2.82 percent, and gold is down 0.16 percent.
Ocado Group confirms Nemlig as a European partner. Crude oil is up over 2% to around $86.70 a barrel, the highest since July 24, after President Trump announced economic measures targeting Iran.
Deere reports Q3 net sales and revenues of $12,608 million. The company states order book trends reinforce 2026 as the bottom of the agricultural equipment cycle.
UKMTO reports an incident 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen. No further details are provided in the alert.
Alibaba Group reports group revenue rose 9% year-over-year for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Alibaba Cloud external commercialization revenue growth accelerated to 45% year-over-year, with AI-related product revenue showing triple-digit year-over-year gains for a 12th consecutive quarter.
UK banks borrowed 126.1 billion pounds in a Bank of England short-term repo operation. Separately, X is reportedly in talks to use stablecoins such as USDC for creator payouts, enabling global influencer payments.
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.09 percent, Nasdaq futures is unchanged at 0 percent, Dow futures is down 0.18 percent and Russell futures is down 0.16 percent.
Cross-asset desk update. US equities are mixed: S and P futures is down 0.05 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.06 percent and Russell futures is down 0.15 percent. In foreign exchange, the dollar is softer; the dollar index is down 0.23 percent, euro dollar is up 0.2 percent and dollar yen is up 0.15 percent. Volatility and commodities: the VIX is at 15.14, up 1.68 percent, WTI crude is up 2.56 percent and gold is up 0.03 percent.
Breaking. Taiwan's cabinet approves a record $35.1 billion defense budget for 2027, with defense spending set to reach 3.01% of GDP.
The White House believes US-Oman discussions broke down weeks ago. Oil prices are up more than 2% following Trump Iran threats.
EHang signed a strategic cooperation framework with China Construction Sixth Engineering Bureau to develop eVTOL infrastructure. SPCX has a second insider share unlock today, with up to 319 million shares becoming eligible for trading. Uber now matches riders in select Dubai areas with Baidu’s fully driverless Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis.
Amazon has been initiated at Rosenblatt with a Buy rating and named a top pick. Separately, TradeXchange Newsdesk reports that Trump may order intensive attacks on Iran if economic pressure fails, and that Trump tells Iran deal negotiators prospects are weak.
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.13 percent, Nasdaq futures is down 0.12 percent, Dow futures is down 0.18 percent and Russell futures is down 0.2 percent.
US equity futures are lower: S&P futures are down 0.13 percent, Nasdaq futures are down 0.12 percent, and Russell futures are down 0.2 percent. In foreign exchange, the dollar is softer, with the dollar index down 0.14 percent. EUR/USD is up 0.21 percent, and USD/JPY is up 0.19 percent. In commodities, WTI crude is up 2.35 percent, and gold is unchanged.
The South Korean won is down 0.53%, leading FX declines. The Japanese yen is down 0.21%, and the dollar index is off 0.15%. The New Zealand dollar, Canadian dollar, British pound, and euro are all gaining.
US index futures: S and P futures is down 0.14 percent, Nasdaq futures is down 0.11 percent, Dow futures is down 0.2 percent and Russell futures is down 0.15 percent.
US equity futures are lower: S&P futures are down 0.07 percent, Nasdaq futures are down 0.03 percent, and Russell futures are down 0.08 percent. In FX, the US Dollar Index is down 0.11 percent, with EUR/USD up 0.13 percent and USD/JPY up 0.23 percent. The VIX is at 15.19, up 2.01 percent. WTI crude is up 2.07 percent, and Gold is up 0.06 percent.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.03 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.29 percent, Dow futures is down 0.05 percent and Russell futures is up 0.04 percent.
US equity futures are showing mixed moves: S&P futures are up 0.03 percent, Nasdaq futures are up 0.29 percent, and Russell futures are up 0.04 percent, while Dow futures are down 0.05 percent. In FX, the US Dollar Index is down 0.11 percent, with EUR/USD up 0.15 percent and USD/JPY up 0.21 percent. The VIX is at 15.04, up 1.01 percent. WTI crude is up 1.55 percent, and gold is up 0.04 percent.
Asian cash markets finished mixed: the Nikkei 225 closed up 1.36 percent, the Hang Seng closed up 1.03 percent, the Shanghai Composite closed down 2.17 percent, the KOSPI closed up 5.89 percent and the ASX 200 closed up 0.15 percent. Asian volume leaders were Alibaba up 2.25 percent, Xiaomi up 1.53 percent, Meituan down 1.26 percent, SoftBank Group up 3.06 percent and Toyota up 4.25 percent.
Equinor and Orlen have deepened their energy collaboration with a crude oil pact. This deal permits the potential supply of other crude grades from Norwegian Continental Shelf fields. Separately, the Swedish Riksbank has held its policy rate at 1.75%.
The DAX 40 is down approximately 0.3%, trading below 26,000. This marks its fourth consecutive session of losses, reaching its lowest level since late July.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for the early completion of China–South Korea FTA second-stage talks, according to Xinhua.
US equity futures are mixed, with S&P futures up 0.01 percent and Nasdaq futures up 0.34 percent, while Russell futures are also up 0.01 percent. In FX, the US Dollar Index is down 0.04 percent, with EUR/USD up 0.11 percent and USD/JPY up 0.2 percent. The VIX is at 14.96, up 0.47 percent. WTI crude is up 1.64 percent, and gold is down 0.08 percent.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.01 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.34 percent, Dow futures is down 0.1 percent and Russell futures is up 0.01 percent.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.09 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.43 percent, Dow futures is down 0.02 percent and Russell futures is up 0.14 percent.
US equity futures are higher: S&P futures are up 0.18%, Nasdaq futures are up 0.54%, and Russell futures are up 0.16%. In FX, the US Dollar Index is down 0.08%, with EUR/USD up 0.03% and USD/JPY up 0.19%. WTI crude is up 0.58% and gold is up 0.11%.
HM Exploration announces U.S. DTC eligibility for its common shares, enabling settlement through The Depository Trust Company.
Circle shares are rising in regular trading and after hours. This follows a broader crypto rally, lower Treasury yields, and a planned White House meeting between President Donald Trump and crypto executives.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.16 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.5 percent, Dow futures is up 0.08 percent and Russell futures is up 0.22 percent.
US equity futures are higher: S&P futures are up 0.16%, Nasdaq futures are up 0.5%, Dow futures are up 0.08%, and Russell futures are up 0.22%. In FX, the US Dollar Index is unchanged. EUR/USD is up 0.02%, and USD/JPY is up 0.25%. WTI crude is up 0.33%, and gold is up 0.14%. The VIX is down 6%. US 10-year yields are down 5.3 basis points, and US 30-year yields are down 9.1 basis points.
Euro Stoxx 50 futures are dipping as the US Treasury signals plans to at least double bond buybacks, which is cutting Treasury yields. Oil prices are steadying investor attention on Middle East risk.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.11 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.36 percent, Dow futures is up 0.04 percent and Russell futures is up 0.16 percent.
US equity futures are showing mixed moves: S&P futures are up 0.07%, Nasdaq futures are up 0.31%, and Russell futures are up 0.12%, while Dow futures are down 0.02%. In FX, the US Dollar Index is up 0.01%, with EUR/USD down 0.04% and USD/JPY up 0.35%. WTI crude is up 0.2% and Brent crude is up 0.37%, while Gold is down 0.17%. The VIX is down 6%. US 10-year yields are down 5.3 basis points and 30-year yields are down 9.1 basis points.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.1 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.34 percent, Dow futures is up 0.04 percent and Russell futures is up 0.2 percent.
US equity futures are higher: S&P futures are up 0.14%, Nasdaq futures are up 0.4%, and Russell futures are up 0.2%. In FX, the dollar index is up 0.04%, EUR/USD is down 0.06%, and USD/JPY is up 0.38%. WTI crude is down 0.02% and gold is down 0.04%. The VIX is down 6%. US 10-year yields are down 5.3 basis points, and 30-year yields are down 9.1 basis points.
The South Korean won is down 0.45%, leading currency losses. The Swiss franc and Japanese yen also show weakness, while the New Zealand dollar and dollar index post small gains. This follows an extended Treasury rally, which lifted Asian stocks and bonds.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.13 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.35 percent, Dow futures is up 0.06 percent and Russell futures is up 0.23 percent.
US equity futures are trading higher: S&P futures are up 0.13 percent, Nasdaq futures are up 0.35 percent, and Russell futures are up 0.23 percent. In FX, the US Dollar Index is up 0.03 percent, with EUR/USD down 0.03 percent and USD/JPY up 0.29 percent. WTI crude is up 0.07 percent, and gold is up 0.02 percent.
New Zealand's annual trade balance printed at -3.75 billion, worsening from the prior -3.61 billion. The Netherlands' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.0%, up from 3.8% previously.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.16 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.42 percent, Dow futures is up 0.05 percent and Russell futures is up 0.21 percent.
US equity futures are higher: S&P futures are up 0.16 percent, Nasdaq futures are up 0.42 percent, and Russell futures are up 0.21 percent. In FX, the Dollar Index is down 0.02 percent, EUR/USD is down 0.01 percent, and USD/JPY is up 0.25 percent. WTI crude is up 0.27 percent, and gold is up 0.12 percent.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.14 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.36 percent, Dow futures is up 0.05 percent and Russell futures is up 0.2 percent.
US equity futures are higher: S&P futures are up 0.14 percent, Nasdaq futures are up 0.38 percent, and Russell futures are up 0.21 percent. In FX, the Dollar Index is down 0.03 percent, EURUSD is unchanged, and USDJPY is up 0.21 percent. WTI crude is up 0.13 percent, and gold is up 0.24 percent. The VIX is down 6 percent, US 10-year yields are down 5.3 basis points, and US 30-year yields are down 9.1 basis points.
Power is temporarily interrupted in Russia-held Sevastopol in Crimea, according to a Moscow-appointed official. Additionally, the Taiwan government plans a 2027 defense budget of T$1.1 trillion.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.15 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.41 percent, Dow futures is up 0.05 percent and Russell futures is up 0.19 percent.
US equity futures are higher: S&P futures are up 0.15%, Nasdaq futures are up 0.41%, and Russell futures are up 0.19%. In FX, the Dollar Index is down 0.02%, EUR/USD is down 0.02%, and USD/JPY is up 0.23%. WTI crude is down 0.02%, while gold is up 0.17%.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.12 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.41 percent, Dow futures is up 0.03 percent and Russell futures is up 0.15 percent.
US equity futures are higher: S&P futures are up 0.12 percent, Nasdaq futures are up 0.41 percent, and Russell futures are up 0.15 percent. In FX, the dollar is softer with the Dollar Index down 0.81 percent, EUR/USD is down 0.03 percent, and USD/JPY is up 0.23 percent. WTI crude is up 0.14 percent and gold is up 0.07 percent. US 10-year yields are down 5.3 basis points to 4.653 percent, and the VIX is down 6 percent to 14.89.
South Korea's central bank reports total external debt rose to $812.8 billion at the end of June, up from $774.4 billion at the end of March. Short-term external debt also increased to $198.5 billion from $183.6 billion over the same period.
Breaking. South Korea’s central bank reports end-June short-term external debt at 46.5% of forex reserves versus 43.3% at end-March.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.09 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.36 percent, Dow futures is up 0.01 percent and Russell futures is up 0.12 percent.
US equity futures are higher: S&P futures are up 0.09%, Nasdaq futures are up 0.36%, and Russell futures are up 0.12%. In FX, the Dollar Index is unchanged. EUR/USD is down 0.01%, while USD/JPY is up 0.2%. WTI crude is up 0.07%, and gold is up 0.13%.
The offshore yuan trades around 6.72 per dollar, its strongest level since February 2023. The PBOC sets the daily midpoint at 6.7808 and leaves benchmark lending rates unchanged. South Korea's defense minister states the country cannot develop nuclear arms or accept U.S. tactical nuclear weapons, and will introduce a voluntary enlistment system next year.
Robbins LLP is investigating the recent stock drop in Suja Life. Separately, Edesa Biotech announces the pricing of a $25.0 million public offering.
China's commerce ministry has set the corporate tax rate for firms linked to anti-dumping measures on imported polyoxymethylene. Separately, the South Korean defense minister states North Korea's reaction to Trump overtures indicates Pyongyang's interest. In Asian FX, the South Korean won is down 0.45%, the Japanese yen is down 0.21%, and the Chinese yuan is up 0.11%.
US index futures: S and P futures is up 0.12 percent, Nasdaq futures is up 0.44 percent, Dow futures is up 0.03 percent and Russell futures is up 0.14 percent.
SquawkNews LiveCast Briefs are informational market commentary, not investment advice. Facts may be corrected as verified information changes.