U.S. index futures declined in pre-market trading on Wednesday. Investors are focusing on rising 10-year Treasury yields, statements from central bank policymakers, and today’s financial results from major companies.

As of 05:21 AM, Dow Jones futures (DOWI:DJI) dropped 151 points or 0.35%. S&P 500 futures lost 0.14%, and Nasdaq-100 futures fell 0.23%. The 10-year Treasury yield stood at 4.23%.

In commodities, crude oil futures dropped after data showed U.S. crude oil inventories rose more than expected. However, the decline was limited due to uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict, with investors watching Israel’s response and ongoing diplomacy. Inventories increased by 1.64 million barrels, pressuring prices.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) predicts Brent oil prices will average $76 per barrel in 2025 due to moderate surpluses and high spare capacity among producers. The bank believes downside risks outweigh upside risks despite Middle Eastern tensions and stable Iranian output.

West Texas Intermediate crude for December dropped 0.85%, to $71.14 per barrel, while Brent for December fell 0.78%, to $75.45 per barrel.

Gold (PM:XAUUSD) hit a record high of $2,753.22, driven by safe-haven demand amid uncertainties surrounding the U.S. elections and the Middle East conflict. The increase reflects geopolitical concerns, as gold continues to attract investors despite a U.S. Treasury selloff. Standard Chartered forecasts gold to reach $2,800 in Q4.

In the U.S. economic calendar today, at 9:00 AM, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman is scheduled to speak. At 10:00 AM, the September existing home sales report will be released, with an estimate of 3.83 million units, down from 3.86 million previously. At 2:00 PM, the Fed will release the Beige Book, which provides an overview of the economy.

Asia-Pacific markets showed mixed results. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.8%, closing at 38,104.86, and the Topix dropped 0.55%, closing at 2,636.96. In South Korea, the Kospi rose 1.12%, ending at 2,599.62, while the Kosdaq gained 0.93%, closing at 745.19. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 saw a slight rise of 0.13%, closing at 8,216. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.33% in the final hour of trading, and mainland China’s CSI 300 gained 0.39%, closing at 3,973.2.

In Singapore, consumer inflation dropped to 2.0% in September, the lowest level in three years, driven by falling private transportation costs. However, core inflation, which excludes transport and accommodation, rose to 2.8%. Inflation is expected to continue moderating, reaching around 2% by year-end.

Tokyo Metro shares surged 45% in their market debut, raising $2.3 billion in Japan’s largest initial public offering (IPO) in six years. Shares closed at 1,739 yen, or $11.43, valuing the company at about 1 trillion yen. The IPO saw strong demand, being oversubscribed 15 times.

China Resources Beverage shares jumped 15% in their Hong Kong debut, trading at HK$16.68, after pricing the IPO at the top of the range. The rally reflected a recovering Hong Kong market, boosted by Beijing’s stimulus measures.

Taiwan’s financial regulator is reviewing its rules following local banks and insurers’ criticisms of confusing governance and bureaucracy. The Financial Supervisory Commission promised more consistent inspection standards and regulatory adjustments, particularly as Taiwan aims to become an asset management hub. Changes may happen by year-end.

Goldman Sachs downgraded Indian stocks from “overweight” to “neutral” due to economic slowdown, impacting corporate profits. While India’s structural bullish case remains, slowing growth and weak Q3 earnings signal profit pressures, according to the bank. Goldman also lowered its 12-month target for the Nifty 50 index.

European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers began discussing whether interest rates need to be cut to stimulate the economy, as inflation and growth slow. Although no consensus has been reached, support for larger cuts is growing to avoid further declines in inflation.

European markets are trading mixed with slight variations, as investors focus on a series of corporate reports.

Reckitt (LSE:RKT) reported a 0.5% drop in Q3 underlying sales, better than the forecast of a 1.7% decline.

Volvo (TG:A3K5M3) exceeded Q3 operating profit expectations, reaching $550 million, but cut its sales growth forecast to 7%-8% due to slowing demand for luxury cars and electric vehicles.

WPP Plc (LSE:WPP), a British advertising group, reported 0.5% organic revenue growth in Q3, maintaining its annual forecast between -1% and 0%.

Heineken (EU:HEIO) exceeded Q3 sales expectations, with net revenue growing 3.3%, driven by non-alcoholic beers and price increases. The Heineken brand grew 8.7% globally, and its annual profit forecast remains between 4%-8%.

Roche (LSE:0QQ6) reported Q3 sales up 9%, beating expectations, driven by Hemlibra vaccine and Vabysmo eye drug.

Hochschild Mining (LSE:HOC) shares rose after a strong increase in gold production, driven by the Mara Rosa mine in Brazil. Total gold and silver production rose 16% in Q3, with gold up 40%. In addition, higher precious metal prices helped the miner reduce its net debt by $45 million.

Telecom Italia (BIT:TIT) reported that Italian financial police searched an executive’s office as part of a bribery investigation.

On Tuesday, major U.S. indices recovered throughout the day but ended with mixed movements. The Nasdaq rose 0.2%, while the Dow and S&P 500 fell slightly. Rising Treasury yields and concerns about interest rates weighed on markets. Verizon (NYSE:VZ) dropped 5% due to weak revenue, while GM (NYSE:GM) rose 9.8% on better-than-expected profits.

On the Wednesday earnings front, reports are expected from Vertiv  (NYSE:VRT), Boeing  (NYSE:BA), AT&T  (NYSE:T), Coca-Cola  (NYSE:KO), NextEra Energy  (NYSE:NEE), GE Vernova  (NYSE:GEV), Thermo Fisher Scientific  (NYSE:TMO), CME Group  (NASDAQ:CME), Boston Scientific  (NYSE:BSX) and General Dynamics  (NYSE:GD) before the market opens.

After the market close, quarterly earnings from Tesla  (NASDAQ:TSLA), Lam Research  (NASDAQ:LRCX), IBM  (NYSE:IBM), Celestica  (NYSE:CLS), Newmont  (NYSE:NEM), ServiceNow  (NYSE:NOW), Viking Therapeutics  (NASDAQ:VKTX), QuantumScape  (NYSE:QS), T-Mobile  (NASDAQ:TMUS) and Las Vegas Sands  (NYSE:LVS) are expected.