Investors Digest Major Technology Earnings, Fed Rate Decision, Driving Muted Premarket Action for US Equity Futures

09:08 AM EST, 01/29/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were flat ahead of Thursday's opening bell as traders digested major earnings from the technology sector and Wednesday's Federal Reserve policy decision.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.1% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.1% higher.

The Federal Open Market Committee on Wednesday held the target rate for federal funds at 3.5% to 3.75%, in line with expectations.

Microsoft (MSFT) reported late Wednesday higher fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue, while Meta Platforms (META) also posted stronger Q4 financial results.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 2.9% at $69.33 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 3.2% higher at $65.19 per barrel.

The weekly jobless claims bulletin, released at 8:30 am ET, showed new unemployment claims of 209,000 in the week ended Jan. 24, compared with 210,000 in the preceding week and estimates compiled by Bloomberg for 205,000. The US trade deficit widened to $56.83 billion in November from $29.21 billion in the prior month, compared with estimates for a $44 billion gap.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.03% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.5% higher, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.2% higher. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was up 0.9%, and Germany's DAX index was down 1% in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, Meta shares were 9% higher pre-bell. Caterpillar (CAT) stock was up 1.5% after the company posted stronger Q4 financial results. Venu (VENU) shares were 24% higher, a day after the company said it has terminated its planned $75 million common stock offering.

On the losing side, Microsoft (MSFT) stock was down 7%. SAP (SAP) shares were 18% lower after the company reported Q4 revenue that trailed analysts' projections.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.