December S&P 500 futures (ESZ23) are down -0.17%, and December Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQZ23) are down -0.05% this morning after three major U.S. benchmark indices closed higher on Wednesday as the latest batch of U.S. economic data prompted investors to scale back forecasts for Federal Reserve tightening this year, with the focus now turning to Friday’s U.S. jobs data.
In Wednesday’s trading session, major growth stocks gained ground after Treasury yields retreated from multiyear highs, with Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Amazon.com Inc (AMZN), and Meta Platforms Inc (META) rising more than +1%. Also, Palantir Technologies Inc (PLTR) climbed over +5% following a report from Bloomberg stating that the company is on track to win a contract to overhaul the U.K.’s National Health Service. On the bearish side, energy stocks slumped as the price of WTI crude dropped over -5% to a 5-week low, with Phillips 66 (PSX) and Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO) plunging more than -4%. In addition, Cal-Maine Foods Inc (CALM) slid over -7% after the company posted downbeat Q1 results.
