Equities & Market Sentiment:

• Global equities found some relief as the severe AI-driven tech selloff moderated, though sentiment remained cautious due to rising oil prices.
• US futures traded slightly lower, with Nasdaq 100 futures slipping 0.1% (following its worst session since June) and S&P 500 futures down 0.3%, while chipmakers stabilized somewhat after recent weakness.
• In Asia, South Korea's Kospi recovered from early losses, but the broader regional index tracked toward its fourth consecutive weekly decline.

Macro & Inflation Data:

• Japan's key inflation gauge climbed above the Bank of Japan's 2% target for the first time this year, boosting expectations for a potential interest rate hike in December.
• Meanwhile, the U.S. economic docket features October Flash S&P PMI data (Services, Manufacturing, and Composite) and the final University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment reading.

Commodities & Energy:

• Oil prices extended their gains and held strong, supported by lingering supply concerns and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which helped cap overall relief across global stock markets.