U.S. stock futures rise today as investors await Nvidia’s Q3 earnings: US stock market futures: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq rise as investors await Nvidia’s Q3 earnings
The Dow fell 1.07 percent. S&P 500 lost 0.83 percent. Nasdaq lost 1.21 percent. Bitcoin briefly fell below $90,000, signaling that risk appetite had decreased.
Investors are focused on Nvidia’s post-close results; options imply a move of approximately 7.69% in either direction; This is well above the recent average earnings swing of 4.06%. Wall Street expects EPS to be $1.26, up 54% year over year, and revenue to $54.89 billion, up nearly 56%. Nvidia shares are up 41.6% in 2025, driven by strong AI chip demand from Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon. Analysts remain optimistic. Bank of America maintained its $275 price target, citing a $500 billion backlog on Blackwell and Rubin chip orders. Wells Fargo raised its target to $265, citing stronger supply and clear visibility of 2026 demand.
Other companies reporting earnings today include Target, Lowe’s, TJX, Wix, Williams-Sonoma, Blade Air Mobility and Viking. Nvidia, Palo Alto Networks and ZTO Express will report after the bell. Treasury yields have eased over the 10-year period, hovering around 4.11%. WTI crude oil traded around $60.44. Gold rose to $4,084 with the support of safe haven demand.
While European markets had a mostly low opening due to technology concerns, inflation in the UK fell to 3.6%, increasing expectations that the BOE will cut interest rates starting from Christmas. Asia traded mixed, with the Hang Seng losing 0.32%, the Nikkei losing 0.34%, the Topix losing 0.17%, the Shenzhen Component losing 0.31% and the Shanghai Composite losing 0.18%. Investors remain cautious ahead of Nvidia’s earnings, which are expected to set the tone for the next phase of the AI-focused market cycle.
US stock futures are higher today as investors await Nvidia’s third-quarter earnings
U.S. stock market futures rose early Wednesday as Wall Street turned its attention to Nvidia’s highly anticipated third-quarter results. The move follows another sharp tech-fuelled selloff on Tuesday that pushed the Dow and S&P 500 to a fourth straight loss. At 3:18 a.m. EST on Nov. 19, Nasdaq 100 futures were up 0.07%. S&P 500 futures rose 0.08 percent and Dow Jones futures rose 0.03 percent. Mini Dow futures (YM=F) were up 44 points, or 0.10%, at 46,228 by 4:49 a.m. EST. More broadly, the market remained stagnant. Investors remained cautious after the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell again on Tuesday. Nasdaq Composite fell 1.21 percent. Dow index fell 1.07 percent. The S&P 500 lost 0.83%. Technology stocks led the decline after Nvidia, Palantir, Microsoft and AMD posted losses.
Bitcoin also briefly fell below $90,000, signaling a weakening appetite for high-risk assets as investors prepared for another earnings catalyst.
Are US stock futures stabilizing ahead of Nvidia earnings?
Investors are now watching Nvidia closely. The company will report its fiscal third-quarter 2026 earnings after the closing bell on Wednesday. Options markets are signaling a potential move of up to 7% in either direction, representing a market value of more than $300 billion.
Wall Street is expecting strong numbers. Analysts predict EPS will rise 54% to $1.26. Revenue is expected to increase approximately 56% to $54.89 billion. Nvidia shares are up 41.6% this year, boosted by strong demand for AI GPUs used by Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet.
Analysts continue to expect an increase. Nvidia has a Strong Buy consensus with a Buy rating of 37. The average price target stands at $242, indicating a 33.6% upside. Bank of America maintained its $275 target. Wells Fargo raised its target to $265, citing better visibility of supply and order flows by 2026.
But investors worry that megacap tech valuations could be stretched. Recent profit taking in the sector has increased the pressure on Nasdaq and S&P 500.
What do today’s retail sales gains signal for the US consumer?
Target, Lowe’s and TJX Companies will report earnings before the market opens. These results are more important than ever. While most government economic reports have been delayed by the federal shutdown, retail sales figures offer the clearest indication of holiday demand.
Wall Street watches consumer spending trends closely. High borrowing costs, weak sentiment and rising defaults remain key risks as we head into December.
Will delayed US economic data change the Fed’s expectations?
The first major post-shutdown economic announcement will come on Thursday with the September jobs report. These data will shape expectations for the Fed’s final policy move in 2025.
Investors are divided on whether the central bank will cut interest rates in December. The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.11%; this reflected a flight to safety as stocks weakened.
WTI crude oil is trading around $60.44 per barrel. Gold continued to strengthen as investors sought shelter.
How is gold reacting to the global tech sell-off?
Gold prices remained stable around $4,070 per ounce after rising 0.6 percent in the previous session. The December contract traded around $4,104.60 in early morning trading, up 0.94%.
Gold has gained nearly 55% this year and is on track for its strongest annual gain since 1979. Central bank purchases and global exchange rate risks continue to support demand. Investors also think gold will deliver the second-best return next year, behind the Japanese yen, according to Bank of America’s survey.
But bullion could face short-term pressure if traders remove leveraged positions to cover equity losses.
How are global markets reacting ahead of Nvidia’s results?
Europe opened mostly lower on Wednesday. Investors there are also watching the US technology sector. However, the inflation rate in the UK fell to 3.6% in October, raising expectations that the Bank of England will cut interest rates around Christmas.
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed.
Hong Kong Hang Seng index lost 0.32 percent. Japan’s Nikkei index fell 0.34 percent.
China had a split session with Shanghai Composite falling 0.18% and Shenzhen Component falling 0.31%.
Tensions between Japan and China have increased regional uncertainty.
