Die US-Aktienmärkte leiden unter Zinserwartungen und Ölpreisschocks

US futures and European stock markets were weaker on Thursday, weighed down by rising interest rates, rising oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty. The yields on 30-year US Treasuries reached their highest level since 2004, further weighing on market sentiment. The Nasdaq 100 lost around 1 percent ahead of trading after having previously reached a record high. Meta (Meta Platforms) fell by 1.7 percent before trading, after the stock had previously reacted strongly to AI developments. Chip stocks like Dropbox also fell by over four percent, while MGM Resorts' takeover offer was withdrawn by a minority shareholder. By contrast, Everpure rose by 4.5 percent as the company impressed with a positive medium-term revenue forecast. Oil prices rose again, with Brent crude at $106.50 per barrel and WTI crude at $94.67, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and possible export restrictions for diesel from the US. The SNB left its key interest rate at zero percent, while the ECB came under pressure from robust economic data and high oil prices, leading to further increases in French government bond yields. In Switzerland, the SMI fell 0.23 percent, with Nestlé (+0.6 percent) and Novartis (+0.5 percent) acting as stabilizing price drivers. The DAX lost 0.8 percent, while the French CAC 40 came under similar pressure. Logitech (-3.8 percent) and UBS (-1.9 percent) were affected by profit taking and regulatory risks, while technology stocks like AMS Osram (-8.4 percent) and other chip companies also came under pressure. Chocolate companies like Lindt&Sprüngli (+1.3 percent) and Barry Callebaut (+1.0 percent) benefited from more stable industry prospects, while Burckhardt Compression (-3.7 percent) suffered from cautious analyst valuations. The VIX index rose by 8.3 percent, indicating increased market uncertainty as interest rate expectations and geopolitical risks continued to weigh on sentiment.