➤ U.S. equity futures track gains from Europe as U.S.-China look at dates for talks.
➤ Whistleblower claims Trump tried to "solicit interference" in 2020 election.
➤ Sterling drops as BoE policymaker hints at rate cut.
U.S. equity futures tracked gains from European stocks as markets continued to follow U.S.-China trade headlines, in the backdrop of increased political uncertainty in the U.S.
Futures for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 rose 0.3% each around 6:30 a.m. ET.
The U.S. and China are expected to hold face-to-face trade negotiations Oct. 10-11 in Washington, D.C., as Beijing's top diplomat said the country is ready to buy more American products. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for more "enthusiastic" measures from both sides while reducing "pessimistic" language and actions.
U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this week that a trade deal with China could come "sooner" than thought.
However, the U.S. may not renew waivers granted to domestic companies to do business with Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
While there are hopes for a partial trade deal in October, negotiations remain on "slippery ground," wrote Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at the London Capital Group.
A whistleblower's complaint claimed that President Donald Trump tried to use "the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election."
In Europe, the FTSE 100 advanced 1.1%, Germany's DAX added 0.9% and France CAC 40 gained 0.3%. The French government announced more than €10 billion in tax relief, for its households in particular, as it unveiled its 2020 budget.
In Asia, the Shanghai SE Composite edged up 0.1% as Chinese industrial profits declined 2% year over year. Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 0.8% and Hone Kong's Hang Seng slid 0.3%.
In currencies, sterling dipped 0.3% versus the greenback as the Bank of England's Michael Saunders said the central bank could cut rates should Brexit uncertainty continue. Saunders has been a hawkish voice on the monetary policy committee.
The dollar spot index, which measures the currency against a basket of peers, rose 0.1% ahead of the release of the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge.
Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan said he is "agnostic" about the need for further rate cuts. Meanwhile, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said there's no reason we should have interest rates trying to hold the economy back.
The impeachment inquiry into Trump has "failed to take the shine off" the U.S. dollar in the near-term, Lee Hardman and Fritz Louw, currency analysts at MUFG Bank, wrote in a note.
The euro was little changed against the dollar as data showed eurozone economic sentiment declined more than expected. The Japanese yen slipped 0.2%.
In bond markets, yields on 10-year U.S. Treasurys and 10-year German Bunds rose 3 basis points and 1 basis point, respectively.
Among commodities, Brent crude shed 1.2% to $61.97 per barrel on the ICE Futures Exchange. Gold sank more than 1%.
More from S&P Global Market Intelligence:
Natural gas, renewables combine for 57% of US generation in July
Mortgage loan activity at US banks, thrifts rises in Q2
China expected to ease core shadow banking clampdown amid economic downturn
Sterling short sellers hold their nerve as no-deal Brexit risk remains
The day ahead:
8:30 a.m. ET – U.S. personal income and outlays (Econoday consensus: 1.8% yearly for core PCE price index)
8:30 a.m. ET – U.S. durable goods orders (Econoday consensus: -1.2% monthly)
8:30 a.m. ET – U.S. Fed's Randal Quarles speaks
10 a.m. ET – U.S. consumer sentiment (Econoday consensus: 92.0)
12 p.m. ET – U.S. Fed's Patrick Harker speaks
1 p.m. ET – U.S. Baker-Hughes rig count
3 p.m. ET – U.S. farm prices
