U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Oil Prices Ease After S&p’s Losing Week

WHO:

CNBC - The U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of Japan were scheduled to announce rate decisions.

CNBC - Bank of America expected the Federal Reserve to raise rates by a quarter percentage point; economist Claudio Irigoyen described a hike as a “heavy lift.”

CNBC - Federal Reserve Chair Warsh was discussed in connection with the central bank’s forward-guidance strategy.

CNBC - Moody’s maintained France’s Aa3 credit rating and negative outlook.

WHAT:

CNBC - U.S. stock futures rose: S&P 500 futures gained 0.4%, Dow futures added 128 points, or 0.2%, and Nasdaq-100 futures rose 0.6%.

Bloomberg Markets - U.S. equity futures advanced as crude oil prices retreated; traders weighed geopolitical developments concerning Iran and upcoming central bank decisions.

CNBC - Brent futures fell 1.31% to $115.19 a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate fell 1.5% to $101.83 a barrel.

CNBC - The Dow lost more than 650 points, the S&P 500 fell 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.2%. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq recorded back-to-back weekly losses.

CNBC - Moody’s said France’s public finances would require a “significant and sustained fiscal effort” to strengthen them and stabilize debt expected to exceed 120% of GDP in 2027. It said the outlook could be raised to stable if France’s institutions reduce the deficit.

CNBC - Fed funds futures indicated a 90% likelihood that policymakers would hold rates at 3.75% to 4%.

WHERE:

CNBC - Asian markets were mixed: Topix rose 0.37%; Nikkei 225 fell 0.2%; South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.3% and Kosdaq fell 1.18%; Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.26%.

CNBC - France’s 10-year bond yield reached 5%, and France was identified as the euro zone’s second-largest economy.

WHEN:

CNBC - Central bank rate decisions were scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, respectively, for the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of Japan.

CNBC - Brent crude reached its highest level since April last Friday; France’s bond yield reached 5% last week, its first time at that level since 2002.

CNBC - France’s presidential elections are scheduled for April and May 2027; its debt burden is projected to exceed 120% of GDP in 2027.

WHY:

CNBC - Higher oil prices and a broadening sell-off across market sectors contributed to losses in the three major U.S. stock averages.

CNBC - Reports that the U.S. and Israel might plan strikes on Iran after the midterm elections preceded Brent’s rise.

HOW:

CNBC - Irigoyen said a Fed hike could lead investors to worry about overtightening, while a hold could prompt questions about the Fed’s inflation-fighting credibility. He said the decision would test Warsh’s resolve to change the Fed’s forward-guidance strategy.

(UPDATED October 26, 2026 02:19 UTC)

U.S. stock futures moved higher as oil prices fell and investors weighed tensions involving Iran alongside a week of central bank decisions. S&P 500 futures gained 0.4%, Dow futures rose 128 points, or 0.2%, and Nasdaq-100 futures added 0.6%. The rebound followed a steep sell-off: the Dow dropped more than 650 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite fell 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively, extending their weekly losses. Brent crude slid 1.31% to $115.19 a barrel, and U.S. crude fell 1.5% to $101.83. Markets are focused on rate decisions from the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of Japan. Traders largely expect the Fed to hold rates at 3.75% to 4%, though Bank of America anticipated a quarter-point hike. Moody’s kept France’s rating at Aa3 with a negative outlook, warning its debt burden could exceed 120% of GDP in 2027.