Pre-market futures are mostly lower this morning, with the Dow in the green. The Dow is +24 points, the S&P 500 is -16, the Nasdaq is -115, and the Russell 2000 is -5. ADP reports a -11K average private-sector payrolls last week, a reversal from the previous month’s +42K.

Small-business optimism fell -0.6% in October, with Plans to Increase Hiring down -1 point to +15% and Plans to Invest up +2 points to +23%. Troubles with Labor Quality reached +9, the highest since the pandemic. NFIB Small Business Optimum Index fell to 98.2 last month.

Earnings reports show AngloGold Ashanti missed expectations but stock still rose +3%. Nebius shares are up after a revenue miss but secured a $3 billion deal with Meta. Beyond Meat shares dropped -9% on a mixed Q3 report. AI stocks are gaining attention for potential profits in the coming months.

Read more at Nasdaq: Small Business Optimism for October Comes in Negative