U.S. Stock Futures Climb Amid Rate Cut Hopes as Thanksgiving Week Begins

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures are showing positive momentum as markets begin a shortened Thanksgiving trading week, driven by optimism surrounding potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [1][9] - The S&P 500 futures are up approximately 0.6% to 0.7%, Nasdaq 100 futures are leading gains with an increase of about 0.9% to 0.99%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are rising between 0.3% and 0.4% [2] Recent Performance - Last week, U.S. equities had a mixed finish, with the S&P 500 advancing 0.98%, Nasdaq 100 adding 0.77%, and Dow Jones rising 1.08% on Friday, but all major indexes are on track to close November in negative territory [3] - The S&P 500 is down approximately 3.5% for the month, Nasdaq has fallen over 6%, and Dow is nearly 3% lower, influenced by concerns over a potential bubble in the AI sector [3] Upcoming Economic Data - Key economic reports to be released include October's retail sales figures, expected to rise by 0.4%, and the Producer Price Index (PPI), anticipated to show a 0.3% monthly increase and a 2.7% yearly rise [5] - Other indicators to watch include durable goods orders, expected to increase by 0.2%, and various housing and manufacturing surveys [5] Earnings Releases - Notable companies reporting earnings this week include Corporacion America Airports SA, BioLineRx Ltd., and LexinFintech Holdings Ltd. before market open on Monday, with Zoom Communications Inc. and MongoDB Inc. reporting after market close [6] - Major companies scheduled for earnings on Tuesday include Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Dell Technologies, Zscaler Inc., Nio Inc., and Best Buy Co. Inc., which will provide insights into consumer spending and technology demand [7] Corporate News - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. saw its stock jump in premarket trading after its Qwen AI app garnered over 10 million downloads following its relaunch, indicating ongoing investor interest in the AI sector [11] - Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited announced the approval of its Final Investment Decision for the Eva Copper Project in Queensland, Australia, expected to enhance long-term production and cash flow [12] - DHL Supply Chain plans to invest EUR 130 million in a new warehouse in Saudi Arabia, aimed at enhancing global supply chain resilience [12] Market Sentiment - The expectation of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut is a significant driver of current market sentiment, with traders pricing in a greater than 60% chance of a 25-basis-point rate reduction in December [9] - This shift in expectations is providing a tailwind for equities, as lower interest rates typically make borrowing cheaper and boost corporate profits [9]