Stock futures traded mixed and Treasury yields fell as investors awaited September CPI data. The report will shape expectations for the Fed's upcoming policy decision, with markets pricing a high likelihood of a rate hold in October.
U.S. stock futures traded in mixed territory on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, as investors braced for the release of September consumer price inflation data. The report is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping market expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting, scheduled for two weeks from now. According to LSEG data cited in the original report, markets are currently pricing in a 78% probability that the Fed will hold interest rates steady in October, while assigning an 88% probability to a rate hike in December.
Treasury yields moved lower in the pre-market session, reflecting a pullback in bond prices as traders positioned themselves ahead of the economic data release. This movement followed recent signals from Fed policymakers indicating they are in no rush to raise rates, a stance that has contributed to the current market pricing. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal expect annual inflation to increase to 3.6% for September, up from 3.4% in August, a trend that could influence the central bank's decision-making process in the coming weeks.
Equity markets showed divergence in sector performance, with Nasdaq futures slipping as a selloff in semiconductor stocks appeared set to extend into a seventh consecutive day. This weakness in the technology sector contrasted with broader market stability, where S&P 500 and Dow futures edged higher as AI-related stocks steadied after recent volatility. The mixed sentiment highlights the ongoing tension between concerns over high valuations in tech and optimism driven by corporate earnings and macroeconomic data.
In related financial news, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, reported strong third-quarter results on the same day. The company announced adjusted net income of nearly $2.62 billion, up 37% year-over-year, with EPS of $15.93, significantly exceeding consensus estimates. BlackRock also reported $205 billion in net inflows during the quarter, a figure that beat the $192 billion estimate from FactSet. CEO Laurence D. Fink noted that the results demonstrated the scale of the firm, with positive net inflows across all asset classes, client categories, and regions, driven by strong performance in iShares ETFs and systematic active equity strategies.