US Futures Edge Up as Investors Weigh Inflation and Rates

US equity futures edged higher Wednesday morning, with E-mini S&P 500 contracts up about 0.01% and Nasdaq-100 minis gaining around 0.2%. Investors were weighing mixed signals on global growth and inflation.

UK consumer borrowing reached £2.5 billion in August as new mortgages slowed, while Spain’s inflation rate was 4.9% and Australia’s cash rate stood at 4.60%. The market update said investors were watching how long higher rates and sticky prices might weigh on banks, real estate and smaller US companies that rely more on loans.

Among individual stocks, Carnival surged 13.41% after reporting third-quarter earnings and completing a $1.2 billion buyback. Bloom Energy rose 10.80% after analysts raised price targets and pointed to its new Fremont facility. Pershing Square fell 9.48% after a downgrade to Hold and concerns about its valuation.

Earnings from Micron, Jabil, Accenture and Nike are due over the next three sessions. Micron and Jabil report Thursday, with Jabil’s results due before the market opens; Accenture reports before Thursday’s open, and Nike after the close.