U.S. stock futures were mixed early Friday after November’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data came in cooler than expected. Futures on the Nasdaq 100 (NDX) and the S&P 500 (SPX) were up 0.43% and 0.20%, respectively, while those on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) were down 0.07% at 3:20 a.m. EST on December 19.
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During Thursday’s regular trading session, the three major indexes closed in the green, with the S&P 500 and Dow snapping four-day losing streaks. The tech-heavy Nasdaq surged 1.38% as tech stocks rebounded from earlier AI bubble concerns. The S&P 500 rose 0.79% and the Dow added 0.14%. Micron (MU) led tech and chip names higher after solid Q1FY26 results and robust guidance, driven by tightening supply amid strong demand.
Unfortunately, all three indexes are poised to finish the week lower. The S&P 500 and Dow have declined by roughly 0.8% and 1%, respectively, while the Nasdaq has fallen 0.8% so far.
After markets closed yesterday, Nike (NKE) stock plunged despite beating sales and earnings expectations for Q2FY26. Continued pressure from declining Greater China sales and tariff impacts hurt margins.
Meanwhile, November’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) reading of 2.7% came in below the consensus estimate of 3.1%, boosting hopes for further interest rate cuts in 2026.
Looking ahead, the final University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading will be released today, providing a fresh gauge of consumer confidence. Existing home sales data will also draw attention, offering insights into housing market demand.
Key earnings reports scheduled for today include Carnival (CCL), Conagra Brands (CAG), and Lamb Weston Holdings (LW).
Notably, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield was up, floating near 4.13%. WTI crude oil futures were trending lower, hovering near $55.99 per barrel as of the last check. Additionally, the Gold Spot U.S. dollar price increased to nearly $4,324 per ounce on Friday.
Elsewhere, European indexes opened mostly higher on Friday after a slew of central bank interest rate decisions.
Asia-Pacific Markets Traded Higher
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on December 19, tracking Wall Street gains. Japanese stocks rallied after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 0.75%, the highest since 1995.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.69%. In China, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.36%, while the Shenzhen Component added 0.92%. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei surged 1.03%, and the Topix increased 0.80%.
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