Main news from the global markets: Wednesday at 7 AM Eastern Time.

On April 24, 2024, at 07:16 Eastern Time, stock futures are mixed as major companies prepare to report their earnings. S&P 500 futures have slightly risen, while Dow futures remain virtually unchanged ahead of the wave of reports.

The proposed changes in regulation are welcomed as good news for the Hong Kong stock market; however, they are likely insufficient. The question of whether there is light at the end of the tunnel for Hong Kong remains open.

Central banks in Asia are facing a policy dilemma due to the postponement of Fed rate cuts and currency shortages. The unexpected rate hike by the Indonesian central bank underscores expectations that the start of monetary easing is further away for many Asian central banks, if it is even on the horizon.

Statements from the People's Bank of China indicate that an increase in liquidity through bond trading is not expected in the near future. The Beijing National Development and Reform Commission has supported the central bank in resuming bond trading.

The Central Bank of Indonesia made an unexpected rate hike as the rupiah loses ground against the dollar and remains at a four-year low.

Many ignored the warning signs in the Chinese real estate market, but not the two accountants who began searching for "financial anomalies" and "manipulations." Developers, homebuyers, and Western bankers overlooked the warnings.

The mood of the business community in Germany continues to improve. Sentiment among German companies has increased for the third consecutive month in April, despite the anticipated slowdown in economic growth at the beginning of this year.

View Analyst: "Travel germ feeds the strength of the U.S. economy." The U.S. economy continues to perform well, and strong travel demand is a key reason why.

Inflation in Australia remains above expectations in the last quarter, highlighting the challenges faced by the country's central bank in managing inflation towards the target level and adding uncertainty regarding the timing of interest rate cuts.

The popular ARK funds of Cathie Wood are quickly declining. Investors have pulled a net $2.2 billion from ARK's active funds this year, surpassing the outflow for the entire year of 2023.