US stock index futures rose slightly, Wednesday, with bond yields declining and shares of some giant companies and growth stocks rising, ahead of the release of important data on inflation that may affect market expectations regarding the path of interest rates at the Federal Reserve.
Despite the poor performance in September, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are on track to record quarterly gains for the second consecutive quarter, according to Reuters.
In contrast, the performance of the Dow Jones index, weighted by stock prices, varies. The index, which includes 30 major American companies, is heading for a quarterly decline, and it appears on its way to recording the first monthly decline since March.
Most shares of giant companies and growth stocks rose slightly in pre-market trading on Wednesday, with shares of “Nvidia”, “Alphabet” and “Apple” rising.
On the other hand, shares of chip companies, including AMD and Marvell, fell slightly.
By 05:27 a.m. EST, Dow Jones futures rose 95 points, or 0.18 percent, S&P 500 futures rose eight points, or 0.1 percent, while Nasdaq 100 futures fell 2.25 points, or 0.01 percent.
The reading of the personal consumption expenditures price index for August, which is closely monitored by the Federal Reserve, is expected to show annual inflation rising to 3.7 percent, according to economists polled by Reuters.
Money market data showed that traders were almost equally divided regarding the possibility of raising interest rates in October, after a week ago the markets were pricing in a probability of more than 70 percent of raising them, according to the “Feed Watch” tool of the CME Group.
“The third quarter not only dashed hopes of longer rate cuts, but doused them with scarce diesel fuel and set them on fire,” Michael Ivery, chief global strategist at Rabobank, said in a note.
The final reading of gross domestic product in the second quarter is also scheduled to be released, along with statements from at least four Federal Reserve officials, including Minneapolis Fed Chairman Neel Kashkari, later on Wednesday.
September witnessed sharp fluctuations in bond markets and a rise in crude oil prices due to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. This raised concerns about inflation and negatively affected high-risk assets around the world.
On Wednesday, the yield on 10-year US Treasury bonds fell by 2.9 basis points, after recording in the previous session its highest level since June 2007.
Warnings issued earlier this month by leaders of the largest artificial intelligence companies about the potential existential risks of the technology also sparked turmoil in artificial intelligence stocks, which were the main driver of Wall Street’s rise to record levels this year.
The stock of “Meta Platforms”, the parent company of “Facebook”, was the most prominent gainer this month thanks to the demand for the artificial intelligence agent “Muse” directed to consumers. The stock is on track to achieve gains of approximately 30 percent in September. The stock fell 0.3 percent on Wednesday.
The results of Micron Technology, the memory chip giant, scheduled to be released after the market close, may be the next test for artificial intelligence stocks. Analysts expect the company to record an increase in quarterly revenues more than four times its level a year ago.
Among the most moving stocks at the beginning of trading, Boeing shares rose 2.9 percent after the US Department of Defense announced that the company had been chosen to manufacture the new stealth fighter for the US Navy.
Boeing outperformed its competitor, Northrop Grumman, in the development contract, which is worth $20 billion, while Northrop's shares fell 4.2 percent.
Robinhood Markets shares rose 2.3 percent after the electronic brokerage company announced that it would allow users to trade some American stocks around the clock during weekends.
Dar Global, listed on the London Stock Exchange, announced that its net profits increased by 149 percent during the first half of 2026, reaching $30.4 million, compared to $12.2 million in the same period last year, driven by the growth in revenues from its real estate projects in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
The company's preliminary unaudited financial results, issued on Wednesday, showed that its revenues rose by 66 percent, to reach $258 million during the six months ending on June 30, 2026, compared to $155.4 million in the same period in 2025.
The total profits of the Saudi subsidiary of Dar Al Arkan increased by 85 percent, reaching $87.7 million, with the gross profit margin improving to 34 percent, compared to 31 percent during the corresponding period last year. EBITDA also grew by 73 percent, to $46.3 million.
The company attributed this growth to proving revenues from a number of its real estate projects, most notably “The Astera” project, which features interior designs by “Aston Martin,” and the “Neptune” project, which features interior designs by “Mawad.”
In terms of the project portfolio, the total development value of Dar Global’s projects nearly doubled on an annual basis, reaching $23 billion, while cumulative contractual sales rose to about $3.9 billion, including 4,380 residential units.
The company's net asset value amounted to $613.3 million, while its total cash balances reached $847.9 million, including $231.6 million in free cash and $616.3 million restricted in escrow accounts, supporting a total available liquidity of about $579.3 million.
Dar Global expanded its business in Saudi Arabia by launching the “Rayana” project in partnership with the Trump Organization, on an area of 2.6 million square meters in Wadi Saffar in Diriyah, which includes luxury palaces and a golf course, with an infrastructure contract valued at 338 million riyals ($90 million). It also revealed the “Trump Plaza Jeddah” and “Paddle Living Residences” projects, with a development value of $383.6 million and $142 million, respectively, within the “Amaya” project.
In terms of financing, in April the company concluded a joint loan agreement worth $250 million to enhance its liquidity, while in August it appointed Gulf Asia Contracting Company to carry out the construction work of the “Trump International Hotel and Tower Dubai” project platform, which consists of 80 floors and a height of about 350 meters, after completing the preliminary work.
For his part, Ziad Al-Shaar, CEO of Dar Global, said that the group recorded a strong financial performance despite the exceptional circumstances witnessed in the region, benefiting from the diversification of its international real estate portfolio and the continued demand in the markets in which it operates.
Al-Shaar explained that cumulative contractual sales rose to about $3.9 billion by the end of June 2026, compared to about $3.2 billion in December 2025, noting that the completion of the joint loan facilities worth $250 million contributed to strengthening the company’s balance sheet and liquidity.
He added that Dar Global will continue to focus on increasing the total development value of its real estate portfolio, whether in its current or new markets, while maintaining financial discipline and raising operational efficiency in implementing projects.
He stressed that the strength of the balance sheet, along with capital management and current project portfolio, supports the company’s ability to achieve long-term value for its partners and stakeholders.
