Stock market today: Dow futures slip, Nasdaq steadies amid earnings rush, GDP and jobs data

Published On Oct 30, 2024, 8:52 AM

U.S. stock futures are mixed with Dow futures slipping down 0.1% and Nasdaq futures making a slight gain of 0.1%. This variation shadows the positive reactions from Alphabet's strong earnings and ahead of crucial upcoming earnings reports from major tech companies. Recent economic data shows that the U.S. economy grew at an annualized pace of 2.8% in Q3, slightly below expectations, but consumer spending remains robust. Additionally, private payroll growth for October exceeded forecasts with 233,000 new jobs added, indicating a strong labor market.

Stock Forecasts

Alphabet's recent earnings report has reignited optimism in Big Tech, which may positively influence investor sentiment towards tech stocks in the coming days as further earnings reports from major companies like Meta and Microsoft are expected. This sector has shown resilience, and strong earnings can lead to a broader market rally, especially if investors perceive continued growth in technology adoption and AI advancements.

The mixed signals from economic data provide a level of caution. While tech stocks may get a boost from favorable earnings, the slight deceleration in GDP growth could weigh on broader market sentiments. The performance of major companies will be pivotal, and any disappointments could result in downward pressure across the indices. Observing the implications of private payroll growth ahead of the jobs report is also critical in assessing market direction.

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Companies in the private sector added 233,000 jobs in October, payroll processing firm ADP said on Wednesday. The figure was well above economists' estimates.

Alphabet announced third quarter earnings, kicking off a week of Big Tech results.

The tech giant’s 34 percent increase in quarterly profit topped Wall Street expectations.