US pre-open: Futures lower as investors eye bond yields, Trump-Xi meeting
24th Sep 2026 11:40
(Sharecast News) - US stock futures were pointing to further losses on Wall Street on Thursday as investors reacted to the ongoing bond market sell-off and higher oil prices.
Futures were showing a 0.3% loss for the Dow, a 0.6% fall for the S&P 500 and a 1.0% decline for the Nasdaq. The Nasdaq was retreating for the second session after hitting a record closing high on Tuesday following a rally in AI and chip shares.
After surging 15 basis points to 5.116% on Wednesday, its highest since July 2007, the 10-year US Treasury yield was up a further 15bp at 5.131% ahead of the opening bell.
Yields have been rising after oil prices rose for the second straight day on Thursday, following a sharp five-day decline, as investors watched for news out of the UN General Assembly in New York amid talks between US and Iranian officials over the conflict in the Middle East. Brent was up 1.2% at $99.30 a barrel early on, while WTI gained 1.0% to $93.08.
In his address to the UN on Wednesday, US president Donald Trump said he faced a "big decision" on whether to pursue a deal with Tehran or "annihilate" the country.
On Thursday, Trump is set for a highly anticipated summit with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, with trade tariffs, AI capabilities and the Middle East likely to be the key talking points.
"Ahead of this the US and China have agreed to extend their trade truce for two months until January...so that's neatly kicked the can down the road to avoid having any disagreements blow up over dinner. Aside from trade, AI and Taiwan will be on the table for discussion," said Neil Wilson, UK investor strategist at Saxo UK.
Investors were also keeping an eye out for the latest US jobless claims data out at 1330 BST, which is expected to show a slight increase in weekly numbers to 201,000 from 196,000 the week before.
US new home sales figures, due at 1500 BST, are tipped to be 620,000 in August, up from the six-month low of 607,000 seen in July.