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US Markets | US stocks were little changed on Wednesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and quarterly results from major technology companies. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite traded near the flatline, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 96 points, or 0.2%. US trade deficit | The US merchandise-trade deficit widened in September for a third straight month amid an ongoing surge in imports of capital goods. The shortfall in goods trade grew 2.1% from the prior month to $134.9 billion, the largest since March 2025, Commerce Department data showed Wednesday. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists was for a narrowing to $130.2 billion. The figures aren’t adjusted for inflation. The value of merchandise imports rose 2.4%, while exports advanced 2.6%. Imports of capital goods — a category that includes computers and accessories, semiconductors and telecommunications equipment fueling the AI buildout — jumped 7.5% to a new record. US-Iran war | US President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that the Iran war will end "whenever I want it to," but insists that Tehran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Speaking at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, Trump said, "Somebody asked me before, ‘When will the war in Iran end?’ I said, ‘Whenever I want it to end." Trump said it “would be very quick, but we have to have an end properly,” with a “total statement” that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon. His statement comes as the president grapples with poll numbers that are near a record low due to rising energy costs and affordability issues as the U.S. heads into the midterm elections on November 3. US initial jobless claims | The United States will release its advance GDP estimate for July–September, Personal Income and Outlays data for September, including the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price indices, and initial jobless claims at 6:00 PM IST on Thursday. The Index of Services Production (ISP) data is also scheduled for release. Crude oil | Crude oil prices traded around session highs on Wednesday, lifting Treasury yields. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures advanced 2.8% to $102.72 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude futures rose about 1.6% to $115.67 a barrel. The US has told several Persian Gulf nations to be prepared for a short, intense campaign, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unidentified people. India IIP | India’s industrial output growth slowed to 6.7% in September 2026 from 8% in August, according to government data released on Wednesday. The moderation came as mining activity contracted, although manufacturing and electricity generation continued to provide support to industrial production. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) stood at 124.3 in September, compared with 116.5 in the same month last year, indicating an expansion in overall industrial activity despite the slower pace of growth. Second Quarter Results | Coal India Ltd, Asian Paints Ltd and Trent Ltd are among the key companies scheduled to report their Q2 results on Thursday. US Fed Meeting | The Federal Reserve is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, despite inflation remaining well above its target. Markets see less than a 10% probability of another quarter-percentage-point rate hike, following the increase in September, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.
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