March S&P 500 E-Mini futures are up +0.37%, and Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures are up +0.74% following Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s positive outlook on AI demand. U.S.-listed shares of TSMC surged over +5% after reporting record Q4 profit and forecasting 2026 revenue growth above expectations, boosting chip stocks in pre-market trading. TSMC’s planned capital expenditure for 2026 is set at $52 billion to $56 billion, reflecting sustained AI demand. Heavyweights like Broadcom and Nvidia also saw gains. Meanwhile, investors await U.S. economic data, bank reports, and Fed remarks. Wall Street benchmarks closed lower on Wednesday, with chip stocks and Wells Fargo falling. Economic data showed stronger-than-expected retail sales and PPI growth in November, as well as a rise in existing home sales. Fed officials discussed the economic outlook, with Neel Kashkari seeing resilience, Raphael Bostic advocating for restrictive rates, and others predicting modest adjustments later in 2026. The Beige Book survey noted a slight to modest pace of economic activity across most U.S. regions. U.S. rate futures imply a 95.0% chance of no rate change and a 5.0% chance of a cut at the upcoming Fed meeting. President Trump decided against tariffs on rare earths, lithium, and critical minerals for now. Corporate earnings season continues, with expectations for positive growth in Q4. Investors will watch Initial Jobless Claims data and manufacturing indices today. The Euro Stoxx 50 Index hit a record high on positive corporate earnings and economic data. Asian markets closed lower, with China’s Shanghai Composite and Japan’s Nikkei 225 down. In tariff news, China tightened margin financing rules and cut interest rates to boost the economy. Japan’s Nikkei 225 retreated from a record high, with technology stocks falling and the yen rebounding. Economic data showed a slowdown in wholesale inflation. Pre-market U.S. stock movers include TSMC, Broadcom, Nvidia, Dell, BlackRock, and Rocket Lab. Notable U.S. earnings today include Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, and JB Hunt.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Stocks Climb Before the Open as TSMC Reignites AI Optimism, U.S. Economic Data and Earnings in Focus