Preview of US Stock Market | The three major stock index futures rose together, and the U.S. government shutdown pushed the gold price above $4000 for the first time.

Pre-market market trends 1. Before the market on October 8th (Wednesday), the futures of the three major US stock indices rose. As of the time of writing, the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.27%, S&P 500 index futures were up 0.13%, and Nasdaq futures were up 0.10%. 2. As of the time of writing, the German DAX index rose 0.75%, the UK FTSE 100 index rose 0.92%, the French CAC 40 index rose 0.90%, and the Euro Stoxx 50 index rose 0.40%. 3. As of the time of writing, WTI crude oil rose 1.72% to $62.79 per barrel. Brent crude oil rose 1.50% to $66.43 per barrel. Market news US-EU tariff changes? It is rumored that EU officials believe that the new trade demands from the US are too harsh and could weaken a previous agreement. EU officials believe that the new demands and other measures taken by the US could disrupt a recent agreement that had helped them avoid a trade war. According to sources, earlier this month, the US government submitted a new proposal to the EU regarding the implementation of "reciprocal, fair, and balanced" trade principles. Some sources indicated that EU officials believe these demands are too harsh and require significant concessions. Specific details of the US demands were not disclosed, as member states are set to receive a report on the discussion on Wednesday. Historic breakthrough! The US government shutdown crisis fuels concerns. The spot price of gold has reached over $4000 for the first time. On Wednesday, gold prices surged over 0.4% to $4014.41 per ounce. This milestone marks the first time gold has crossed the $4000 per ounce mark. Concerns about the US economy and the government shutdown have fueled this hot rise. Just two years ago, the price was below $2000 per ounce, but now its returns have far surpassed stock market performance this century. Faced with global trade uncertainties, doubts about the independence of the Federal Reserve, and US fiscal stability, gold prices have surged over 50% this year. At the same time, political tensions have raised demand for safe-haven assets like GEO Group Inc, and major central banks continue to increase their holdings of gold at a high pace. Bridgewater Associates' Ray Dalio: Gold is "undoubtedly" a more reliable safe-haven asset than the dollar. Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio stated at the Greenwich Economic Forum in Connecticut on Tuesday that gold is "undoubtedly" a more trustworthy safe-haven asset than the dollar. The historic rise in gold prices is similar to the trends in the 1970s when soaring inflation and economic turmoil led to significant increases in gold prices. Dalio noted, "Gold is a very high-quality portfolio diversification tool." He suggested that investors may want to allocate around 15% of their portfolios to gold for optimal diversification. US tech stocks in a bubble? Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. refutes concerns: It is too early to worry! Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. strategist Peter Oppenheimer stated that it is too early to worry about a bubble in US high-tech stocks. He pointed out that the record-breaking rally in tech stocks is accompanied by strong profit growth, unlike previous bubble periods driven by speculation. Oppenheimer and his team wrote in a report, "Valuations in the tech industry are already beyond normal ranges, but they have not yet reached levels consistent with historical bubble periods." However, the strategist reiterated his advice that investors should diversify their investments to mitigate the risks of the narrow gains in the US stock market and the increasingly competitive field of artificial intelligence. Newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae faces a "cold reality." Japanese wage growth suddenly slows down, and the yen continues to weaken, nearing the 155 level. Wage growth in Japan has dropped to its lowest level in three months, and real wages continue to decline. This highlights the challenge faced by newly elected ruling party leader Takaichi Sanae, who had promised to address rising living costs. A report released on Wednesday by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare showed that nominal wages increased by 1.5% year-on-year in August, significantly slower than the previous month's 3.4% growth and lower than economists' expectations. Real cash income fell by 1.4% during the same period, marking the eighth consecutive month of decline and weaker than anticipated. In addition, the unexpected election of Takaichi Sanae as the new ruling party leader has led to a continued decline in the yen. After market volatility, the yen to dollar exchange rate is approaching the key psychological level of 155. Against this backdrop, investors are also closely watching to what extent the yen needs to depreciate before the Japanese Ministry of Finance intervenes in the forex market. Leading the global easing trend! The Reserve Bank of New Zealand unexpectedly cuts interest rates by 50 basis points, causing the New Zealand dollar to plummet. On Wednesday, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's Monetary Policy Committee lowered the official cash rate (OCR) from 3% to 2.5%, stating that given the weak economic growth, further interest rate cuts may be necessary to stimulate demand. Following the announcement, the New Zealand dollar fell sharply. Of the 25 economists surveyed earlier, only 10 predicted this magnitude of rate cut, while the remaining 15 expected a cut of 25 basis points. ECB Governing Council member Escriva: Interest rates at "appropriate" levels, no need for further adjustments. European Central Bank Governing Council member and Governor of the Bank of Spain Jose Luis Escriva stated at an event in Madrid on Wednesday that interest rates in Europe are at "appropriate levels" and do not require further adjustments. The European Central Bank maintained interest rates as expected earlier this month and remains optimistic about economic growth and inflation, dampening expectations for further lowering borrowing costs. Stock news NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA.US) to invest billions in Musk's xAI AI financing race to $20 billion. According to sources, Elon Musk's AI startup xAI is advancing a financing round that exceeds the initial plan, including an equity investment from NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA.US), with the total financing expected to reach $20 billion. The financing includes both equity and debt portions, with the funds being linked directly to NVIDIA Corporation's GPU for the "Colossus 2" project procurement by xAI. Colossus 2 is xAI's largest data center site in Memphis. Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN.US) to invest $1.16 billion in Belgium by 2027 to optimize supply chain systems. The Belgian newspaper L'Echo reported on Wednesday that the US tech giant Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN.US) plans to invest 1 billion (approximately $1.16 billion) in Belgium between 2025 and 2027. Amazon.com, Inc. will advance infrastructure development in Belgium and deepen cooperation with Belgian postal operator Bpost and local small businesses. Eva Faict, head of Amazon.com, Inc. in the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg), stated that this move aims to optimize its supply chain system in Belgium and achieve same-day delivery services. Copper prices rise with Teck Resources (TECK.US) lowering flagship copper mine production expectations. On Wednesday, Teck Resources (TECK.US) lowered its production expectations for its flagship copper mine in Chile. Less than a month ago, the company reached the largest mining deal in nearly a decade with Anglo American. Teck Resources lowered its production expectations for the Quebrada Blanca copper mine in the Atacama Desert of Chile as part of its comprehensive operational review. The company reduced its production forecast for the mine this year to 170,000 to 190,000 tons, down from the previous forecast of 210,000 to 230,000 tons. It also lowered expectations for the period 2026 to 2028. Toyota (TM.US) partners with Sumitomo Metal Mining to mass-produce all-solid-state battery cathode materials. Toyota Global announced that Sumitomo Metal Mining Corporation has reached a cooperation agreement with Toyota Motor Corp. Sponsored ADR to mass-produce all-solid-state battery cathode materials for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The collaboration aims to advance the research and development process. Sources: Intel Corporation (INTC.US) to disclose details of new generation PC chip technology. Four sources revealed that Intel Corporation (INTC.US) plans to announce the technical details of its new generation laptop chip "Panther Lake" on Thursday. The move is intended to rebuild investor confidence in Intel Corporation's first product to be fully manufactured using the next-generation 18A fabrication process. The Panther Lake chip is a high-end mobile processor from Intel Corporation, typically found in high-priced laptops, and is Intel Corporation's first mass-produced product using the "18A process" a development that has cost Intel Corporation billions of dollars. Important economic data and events forecast: 8:30 PM Beijing time: US September unemployment rate (%)(10/8-10/10) 10:30 PM Beijing time: US EIA Crude Oil Inventory Change for the week ending October 3 (in thousands of barrels) 11:00 PM Beijing time: US October IPSOS Primary Consumer Sentiment Index PCSI 1:00 AM Beijing time the next day: US 10-year Treasury auction - total amount (billion US dollars) for October 8th.