US stock futures opened lower following several failed attempts to break beyond the previous day's highs. The S&P 500 futures dropped by 0.2%, while the tech-heavy NASDAQ declined by 0.3%. The yield on 10-year Treasury bonds increased by four basis points, with the dollar strengthening against riskier assets. Rising bond yields continue to dampen risk appetite, as investors expect central banks to maintain tight interest rate policies.
Market pressure resumed after mixed quarterly earnings reports from Microsoft Corp. and Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc. These reports set the stage for potential challenges for similar firms announcing earnings this week.
Alphabet's shares dipped 7% in premarket trading due to lower-than-expected profits from its cloud division. Meanwhile, Microsoft's stock rose after its cloud business results surpassed expectations. Additionally, Texas Instruments Inc. shares plummeted following a bleak revenue forecast, suggesting soft demand for a broad range of electronic components.
Earnings season is in full swing, and investors are keen to see how companies are handling high interest rates and any resulting shifts in consumer spending. Today, an earnings report from Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is anticipated. Amazon.com Inc. will report on Thursday.
European indices also edged lower, as earnings from some of the region's top consumer and financial firms amplified concerns about a global economic downturn impacting corporate profits. Shares of Kering SA, owner of Gucci, fell due to declining sales amidst a broader luxury goods sector slump. Home goods producer Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc's shares also dropped when sales fell short of expectations. Worldline SA shares plunged over 50% – their most significant drop ever – after the French payment company downgraded its yearly outlook.
Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank AG shares surged 7.5%. The bank plans to accelerate shareholder payouts, citing higher revenues and deposit inflows offsetting weaker trading results in the third quarter.
Asian indices climbed after the Chinese government boosted its economic support, with the Hang Seng Tech Index adding 2.2%.
Brent traded flat after yesterday's dip, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slipped to $83. On Tuesday, the White House announced that the US and Saudi Arabia agreed to continue diplomatic efforts, easing concerns of significant disruptions in the oil market.
As for the S&P500 index, demand for the trading instrument has rebounded. Bulls should defend $4,229 and push the price to $4,268. This would counter the current downtrend and pave the way for a potential rally toward $4,304. Securing the $4332 level is also a key target for the bulls, strengthening their stance. If the index trends downward amidst dwindling risk appetite, bulls will have to protect $4,229. Breaking through this level, the index may tumble to $4,203 and $4,175.
