Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (+0.12%) is in second place on Wednesday afternoon, up about 25 points.

Gold futures settled $4.30 higher (+0.1%) at $3,686.50/oz, on renewed expectations for a Fed rate cut and softer economic signals that weakened the U.S. dollar and bond yields. Reports suggest markets are now pricing in a September cut with odds near 92% as investors await U.S. inflation data and digest cooling job growth. Lower rate expectations reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, keeping momentum positive.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index is flat at $97.78.