Futures Jump As Meltup Returns, Gold Soars To New Record High Ahead Of Govt Shutdown

Market Overview - US equity futures are up sharply, led by tech and small caps, with the S&P 500 on track for its best September since at least 2013, despite the month typically being difficult for stocks [1] - Gold prices have reached a record high of $3,820, pushing the market value of US gold reserves above $1 trillion [9] - A potential US government shutdown could complicate a heavy data week, impacting labor market data releases [1][3] Company-Specific Developments - Mag 7 stocks are mostly higher in premarket trading, with notable gains for Amazon (+1%), Alphabet (+0.8%), and Nvidia (+0.8%) [3] - Genmab's acquisition of Merus for $8 billion has led to a 37% surge in Merus shares [5] - Occidental Petroleum is in talks to sell its OxyChem petrochemical unit for at least $10 billion, resulting in a 1.5% gain in its shares [5] - MoonLake Immunotherapeutics shares plummeted 88% following disappointing clinical trial results [5] - Tilray shares rose 16% after President Trump promoted the medical benefits of hemp-derived CBD [5] Economic Indicators - The US economy is expected to add 50,000 jobs in September, with the unemployment rate projected to remain steady at 4.3% [4] - The JOLTS report is anticipated to show a decline in job openings, while company hiring data is likely to confirm a slowdown [4] - Fed policymakers are scheduled to speak throughout the week, influencing market expectations regarding interest rates [4][3] Global Market Trends - Global stocks are expected to continue their rally through year-end, supported by a resilient US economy and a dovish Fed stance [5][6] - European stocks are experiencing gains, with the Stoxx 600 climbing 0.4%, driven by optimism around economic growth and AI advancements [7] - Asian equities are mostly advancing, particularly Chinese tech stocks, with the Hang Seng index climbing for the first time in three sessions [8] Commodity Market Insights - WTI crude futures are trading around $65.30 amid expectations of OPEC+ output hikes, while precious metals continue their upward trend [1][13] - The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index has fallen 0.2% as fears of a government shutdown emerge, impacting currency valuations [12]