ZeroHedge·2025-10-20 12:43Market Overview - US equity futures are higher, led by small caps, with S&P futures up 0.3% and Nasdaq futures up 0.4% as sentiment improves due to Trump's comments on US-China relations [1] - The upcoming week is busy for earnings, with major companies like Tesla, Netflix, and General Motors reporting [1] - Almost 20% of S&P 500 companies are set to report this week, with notable pre-market gains in the Magnificent Seven tech stocks [1][3] Corporate News - Amazon Web Services experienced a widespread disruption affecting various companies, while Apple's latest iPhone sales are off to a strong start [4] - Kering agreed to sell its beauty division to L'Oreal for €4 billion, indicating strategic shifts in the luxury sector [4] - Celcuity's shares surged 46% after successful recruitment for breast cancer trials, while Cooper Companies rose 4% due to activist investor interest [5] - Hologic Inc. shares climbed 5% amid acquisition talks that could value the company at over $17 billion [5] Economic Indicators - China's economy grew at 4.8% in Q3, the slowest pace in a year, but slightly better than expected, indicating ongoing structural risks [8][41] - The US CPI print for September is expected to show a slowdown in core inflation, which could influence Fed rate decisions [9][37] Market Sentiment - Overall equity positioning saw a significant decline last week, with Deutsche Bank noting the largest weekly cut since April [5] - Despite recent volatility, market sentiment appears to be improving, particularly in the tech sector, driven by positive earnings and easing trade tensions [7][42] Geopolitical Factors - Trump's comments on tariffs being "not sustainable" and ongoing discussions with Chinese officials have contributed to a more optimistic market outlook [19][35] - The geopolitical landscape, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine, continues to influence market dynamics, with defense stocks outperforming amid rising tensions [10][30]