29.07.202623:44:01UTC+00US Futures Rise as Investors Assess Earnings

US stock futures inched higher on Thursday as investors weighed a fresh round of earnings from major technology companies alongside the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision. In after-hours trading, Microsoft surged 9% after posting results that beat analysts’ expectations, powered in part by continued strength in its cloud computing and artificial intelligence businesses. By contrast, shares of Meta Platforms fell more than 6% as investors remained skeptical about the company’s ability to effectively monetize its AI investments.

Market focus now turns to upcoming earnings from tech heavyweights Amazon and Apple later on Thursday, as well as results from other major corporations including Mastercard, Bristol-Myers, and Coinbase. At the same time, investors continued to digest the Fed’s move to leave interest rates unchanged, even as three FOMC members dissented in favor of a rate increase. On Wednesday, the Dow shed 2.19% in the regular session, while the S&P 500 dropped 1.52% and the Nasdaq Composite declined 1.74%.