Market Amidst Shutdown: Investors Lean on Rate-Cut Hopes as Data Drought Persists

In a session marked by a government shutdown-induced data scarcity, futures linked to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq witnessed a rise early Thursday after disappointing private payroll figures buoyed hopes for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Investors, who have been closely monitoring any hint of monetary policy easing, saw the weaker ADP National Employment Report as a signal favoring potential rate reductions.

Global macro strategist Arnim Holzer suggests the disappointing ADP employment numbers may compel the Federal Reserve's policymaking committee to consider further rate cuts. The lack of new economic data due to the shutdown has investors heavily relying on alternative metrics, heightening scrutiny on any available labor market insights.

Key market movements included a 1.5% premarket rise in Tesla shares ahead of its quarterly report, despite a 2.4% decline in Lithium Americas following a downgrade. Significantly, Equifax and TransUnion experienced plunges after FICO's announcement of an innovative program challenging existing credit scoring services.

(With inputs from agencies.)