5 Key Points to Understand Before the Stock Market Opens

Investors around the world are eagerly awaiting the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data today, with expectations running high for a mix of signals. The overall inflation rate is anticipated to accelerate, while the core inflation measure is expected to slow down. This data is crucial as it will provide insights into when the Federal Reserve might consider adjusting interest rates.

Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines (DAL) is seeing a surge in its shares after reporting a stellar first-quarter earnings beat. The airline’s revenue exceeded expectations, and its passenger load factor showed an increase, reflecting a positive trend in traffic. Delta’s CFO expressed optimism about the future, highlighting a focus on profitability and efficiency gains.

On the international front, Fitch Ratings has downgraded its outlook for China to “negative” from “stable,” citing concerns about the country’s public finances amidst a real estate downturn. This move follows a similar downgrade by Moody’s Investors Service, indicating growing challenges for China’s economy.

In the tech sector, Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL) is inching closer to a $2 trillion market capitalization as it unveils new artificial intelligence offerings. The company’s Cloud Next keynote presentation showcased innovative AI products, further solidifying its position in the tech industry.

Lastly, precious metals like gold and silver continue to shine bright, with prices reaching multi-year highs due to safe-haven buying. Analysts predict further gains in the future, driven by geopolitical risks and strong demand from central banks. Silver prices, in particular, are on the rise, fueled by industrial demand in a growing economy.

Overall, U.S. stock futures are showing a positive trend ahead of the CPI reading, indicating a potentially exciting day for investors. Stay tuned for more updates on these market developments.