U.S. stock futures are higher after Meta and Microsoft reported better-than-expected quarterly results. Both companies are part of the so-called Magnificent Seven megacap, influential tech giants. After reporting strong results,

Futures tied to Canada's main stock index edged higher on Thursday, helped by upbeat earnings from tech giants Meta and Microsoft, while investors were cautious about a potential trade deal ahead of President Donald Trump's August 1 tariff deadline.

The Fed is expected to keep rates unchanged for a fifth straight meeting, but it could signal what conditions would allow it to begin cutting again.

Front-month gold futures settled lower with market watchers correctly predicting that the Fed would decide to keep interest rates untouched at 4.25-4.5%.