Market Overview

By 07:21 ET (11:21 GMT) the S&P/TSX 60 futures contract was up 4 points, or 0.2%, as investors positioned ahead of the release of U.S. consumer‑price data and a slate of Wall Street bank earnings. The S&P/TSX composite index had closed the previous day 0.9% higher at 35,983.98, driven by a 0.9% jump in energy‑sector shares, a 1.4% rise in financial stocks, and a 1.5% decline in Canadian e‑commerce leader Shopify.

U.S. Inflation Expectations

The headline U.S. CPI for September is forecast to accelerate to 3.6% year‑over‑year, up from 3.4% in August, and to rise 0.6% month‑over‑month, versus 0.4% previously. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, is projected at 2.5% YoY, a modest increase from 2.4% in August, and is expected to slow to 0.2% MoM from 0.3%.

Deutsche Bank analysts anticipate a strong report because of the September energy‑price surge, estimating motor‑fuel prices rose 0.6% over the month. Alternative‑data provider Truflation warned that the gap between headline and core CPI is widening as elevated energy costs, driven by the Middle‑East conflict and aggressive U.S. trade policies, threaten renewed goods inflation.

Bank Earnings Snapshot

Wall Street banks are in the spotlight. JPMorgan Chase shares slipped after a surprise decline in fixed‑income trading revenue, while Goldman Sachs also edged lower for the same reason. Citigroup was the worst performer on the KBW Banks Index, falling 5.6%.

Bank of America reported a third‑quarter profit decline and disclosed a $1.2 billion provision related to U.S. fines over anti‑money‑laundering lapses, prompting a pre‑market share dip. BlackRock, in contrast, posted higher quarterly profit, buoyed by increased management fees, and its stock rose before the opening bell.

Vital Knowledge analysts noted that, despite mixed results, most big‑bank numbers met expectations, though they highlighted concerns that current conditions may represent the best the industry will see for some time.

Technology and AI Updates

ASML Holding lifted its annual outlook, citing soaring AI demand and long‑term orders from high‑end AI‑chip makers extending out to 2030; the stock gained more than 1% in European trading.

Analysts at Vital Knowledge expressed unease about the financial health of frontier AI labs such as OpenAI and Anthropic, questioning their ability to go public at anticipated valuations. Media reports indicate Anthropic plans to release its first‑ever third‑quarter results later in the day.

Energy and Commodity Prices

Brent crude futures rose 0.5% to $106.25 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate climbed 1.9% to $95.88 per barrel as renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis and missile strikes in the Strait of Hormuz heightened supply‑disruption concerns. The UK Maritime Trade Operations authority confirmed at least two vessels were hit by missiles in the strait on Tuesday.

Gold Market

Spot gold fell 0.6% to $4,138.73 an ounce, and gold futures dropped 0.4% to $4,160.34 an ounce at 06:06 ET. The metal has declined for two consecutive sessions, with higher borrowing costs and persistent inflation weighing on demand. Since the U.S.–Iran war began in late February, gold prices have fallen roughly 20%.

U.S. Index Futures

At 07:32 ET, S&P 500 futures were up 13 points (0.2%), Nasdaq futures slipped 30 points (0.1%), and Dow futures gained 155 points (0.3%).

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