Dow Jones futures traded slightly lower early Thursday, alongside minor moves for S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures, as investors assessed a fresh round of corporate earnings reports and awaited key economic data. Shares in Taiwan Semiconductor, GE Aerospace, and Nvidia edged higher on strong financial results, while United Airlines slipped following mixed quarterly figures. Netflix is scheduled to report its earnings after the market close.
Investors are focusing on several key economic indicators due before Thursday’s opening bell, including June retail sales, the July Philadelphia Federal Reserve manufacturing index, and the latest weekly jobless claims. These reports are expected to offer further insight into the health of the U.S. economy and potential direction for interest rates. Taiwan Semiconductor, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, delivered stronger-than-expected earnings for the latest quarter, citing robust demand for artificial intelligence and other advanced semiconductors supplied to clients such as Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices.
The company also provided upbeat guidance for the third quarter and the full year, reinforcing investor confidence. Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor traded slightly higher in early action after closing at record highs on Wednesday. Nvidia and AMD shares also moved modestly higher in the premarket. GE Aerospace exceeded Wall Street’s second-quarter expectations and raised its guidance for the remainder of the year.
Taiwan Semiconductor, GE Aerospace and Nvidia lift sentiment
The company cited strong demand across its aerospace segments as a key driver for its improved outlook. GE shares advanced slightly in premarket trading and continue to hold at record levels. United Airlines reported second-quarter earnings that topped estimates, but revenue came in slightly below forecasts. The carrier also issued a lower full-year outlook, citing a “less certain” macroeconomic environment. United shares slipped modestly in after-hours trading, reversing some of last week’s gains following Delta Air Lines’ results.
Netflix shares will remain in focus later Thursday as the company reports second-quarter results after the close. The stock edged down 0.8% in Wednesday’s session, hovering between key technical levels. Historically, Netflix shares have been prone to significant moves following earnings announcements. Wednesday’s session saw the broader market maintain its upward momentum despite pressure on semiconductor equipment stocks after ASML issued weak guidance.
The release of benign producer price index data helped offset those sector-specific concerns. Major indexes briefly declined on reports suggesting President Donald Trump was considering removing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, though markets rebounded swiftly after Trump dismissed the reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both gained 0.3% Wednesday, with the Nasdaq Composite advancing to a fresh record close. The small-cap Russell 2000 outperformed with a 1% rise, recovering from losses earlier in the week. – By Content Syndication Services.