September S&P 500 E-Mini futures are up +0.17%, awaiting a call between Trump and Xi. Wall Street saw gains yesterday, with Intel and CrowdStrike surging. Economic data showed mixed results, with a rise in Philly Fed index but a fall in the leading economic index. U.S. rate futures predict a rate cut in October.

The U.S. is preparing for a triple-witching event today as options tied to $6.3 trillion in stocks expire. Market watchers downplay its significance. Economic data is quiet today, with focus on a speech from the San Francisco Fed President. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is at 4.122%.

The Euro Stoxx 50 Index is up +0.42%, led by gains in automobile and bank stocks. U.K. retail sales rose in August, while Germany’s producer prices fell. Nvidia commits to U.K. AI startup development. Focus shifts to U.S.-China trade talks. Retail sales data from the U.K., France’s business survey, and Germany’s PPI were released.

Asian markets closed down, with China’s Shanghai Composite Index and Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Index in the red. Shanghai Composite fell as investors await Trump-Xi call. Semiconductor and insurance stocks declined. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI developer, reported lower training costs for its R1 model. Investor optimism rises as China’s AI rivalry heats up. Focus shifts to Trump-Xi call. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dips post-BOJ decision to sell ETF holdings. Retail and electronics stocks decline. BOJ leaves policy rate at 0.5%. Core inflation eases in August. Foreign investors sell record amount of Japanese stocks. US pre-market movers: FedEx up +4%, Tesla +1%, BILL +2%, Lennar -2%, MetLife -1%. Today’s US earnings spotlight: Cantaloupe, Golden Matrix, Anixa Biosciences, Anebulo Pharmaceuticals, Bridgford.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: S&P Futures Tick Higher With Trump-Xi Call in Focus