US Stocks-Wall St set to open higher as investors weigh earnings; PayPal jumps

At 08:56 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis `YMcv1` were up 114 points, or 0.22%, and S&P 500 E-minis `EScv1` were up 21.75 points, or 0.29%. Nasdaq 100 E-minis `NQcv1` were up 200.25 points, or 0.67%. The earnings season is gathering pace at a crucial point for equities. The S&P 500 has climbed more than 10% this year and closed Tuesday less than 1% below its June record closing high, leaving the rally vulnerable to any disappointment in corporate results. Geopolitical tensions also remained in focus after the U.S. said it had begun a new wave of strikes against Iran after reimposing a naval blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran threatened to curb more regional energy exports. Elevance Health `ELV.N` tumbled 6.8% even after raising its annual profit forecast, as the revision fell short of investors' lofty expectations. Wall Street's main indexes were headed for a higher open on Wednesday, as investors weighed softer-than-expected producer inflation data and a flurry of corporate earnings, while PayPal surged on reports of a $53 billion takeover offer. Strong results from major banks for the second day in a row helped sustain an upbeat note for the second-quarter earnings season. Data showed the Producer Price Index for final demand unexpectedly fell 0.3% in June, compared with forecasts for a flat reading, adding to signs that inflation was easing. The report followed Tuesday's softer-than-expected consumer inflation data, which reduced expectations for an imminent Federal Reserve rate hike. "With the Fed offering limited forward guidance, each inflation reading is prompting more volatility in rate expectations," said Charlie Ripley, portfolio manager at Allianz Investment Management. Traders now see about a 16% chance of a quarter-point rate increase at the Fed's next meeting, down from nearly 41% before the CPI report, according to CME's FedWatch tool. Wednesday also marks the second day of Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's testimony before Congress. Warsh told lawmakers on Tuesday that one data point was not enough to declare victory over inflation. BlackRock `BLK.N` shares advanced 5.1% in premarket trading, after the asset manager beat profit expectations, as a stock market rally boosted the value of client assets. Morgan Stanley `MS.N` also beat Wall Street estimates for second-quarter profit, driven by strong mergers and acquisitions activity. Its shares were up 0.5%. PayPal Holdings `PYPL.O` jumped nearly 19.5% after sources told Reuters payments company Stripe and private equity firm Advent International have jointly offered to acquire it for $60.50 per share — representing around a 28% premium to its Tuesday close. Chip stocks were mostly higher, helping lift Nasdaq futures. U.S.-listed shares of ASML `ASML.O` rose 2.5% after the Dutch semiconductor equipment maker raised its 2026 financial forecasts, reassuring investors about the strength of AI-driven demand.

US Stocks-Wall St set to open higher as investors weigh earnings; PayPal jumps

Market backdrop and other movers

Wall Street set for a higher open

Inflation data and Fed expectations

Banks, PayPal and chip stocks move premarket

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