The Morning Bull - US Market Morning Update Thursday, Oct, 8 2026
US stock futures are slightly higher, with S&P 500 contracts up a touch as investors weigh strong growth signals against rising global frictions. The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow estimate is holding at 3.7% annualised for Q3, which points to solid economic momentum; in simple terms, people and businesses are still spending. At the same time, the US trade deficit has widened to $105.6b as imports hit a record $420.8b, a sign that Americans are buying more from overseas than they sell abroad. That mix keeps the focus on exporters, manufacturers and globally exposed sectors as investors ask whether robust demand can offset the drag from weaker net trade.
Global supply chains are heating up again, so it may be worth scanning for companies with pricing power and durable margins using 31 resilient stocks with low risk scores
Top Movers
- Spotify Technology (SPOT) surged 5.08% as investors reacted to recent commentary on product launches and monetization.
- NRG Energy (NRG) advanced 4.84%.
- Moderna (MRNA) climbed 4.81% after Morgan Stanley raised its price target ahead of Q3 earnings.
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Top Losers
- Curtiss-Wright (CW) fell 8.00% after Citi reduced its price target and investors assessed CFO transition news.
- Strategy (MSTR) declined 6.79% as shares tracked a sharp pullback in bitcoin prices.
- SiTime (SITM) fell 6.46%.
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On The Radar
Labor data and consumer mood share the spotlight with key earnings from PepsiCo and Delta Air Lines over the next two sessions.
- US Labor Market: Weekly Initial Jobless Claims on Thursday will update the picture on layoff trends and hiring resilience.
- PepsiCo (PEP): Q3 results on Thursday before the market opens give a read on branded food and beverage demand and cost pressures.
- Growth Pulse: The Atlanta Fed GDPNow update on Thursday refines expectations for Q3 output and sector level momentum.
- Consumer Check: Preliminary Michigan Consumer Sentiment on Friday tracks confidence and spending appetite heading into year end.
- Delta Air Lines (DAL): Q3 numbers on Friday in the early afternoon highlight travel demand, fuel costs and revenue trends across premium and leisure.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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