Finance & Markets News Today — October 29, 2026

US markets are set for a mixed open as investors digest a slew of earnings reports and the latest Federal Reserve decision. Alphabet's shares are under pressure, falling 10% in premarket trading after the company's quarterly results failed to impress, putting it on track for its largest ever post-earnings drop. In contrast, Microsoft's strong quarter has helped the stock rebound, with analysts revising their price targets upwards. Other major companies, including Ford and Chipotle Mexican Grill, are also reporting their quarterly results, with Ford's mixed bag of numbers seeing the stock move slightly lower.

The energy sector is also in focus, with Shell reporting a near doubling of its quarterly profit year-on-year as refining margins soared to a record high. The Fed's decision to keep interest rates unchanged, along with comments from Chairman Powell's successor, has also provided some insight into the central bank's future policy plans. With many companies reporting their quarterly results, investors are closely watching to see how businesses are faring in the current economic climate, and how they will perform in the coming months. Today's earnings reports and economic news will likely set the tone for the rest of the week, with markets eagerly awaiting more data to inform their expectations for the future.

Today's signal:
• Alphabet falls 10% in premarket, putting it on course for its biggest ever post-earnings drop (cnbc.com)
• Shell nearly doubles quarterly profit year-on-year as refining margins soar to record high (cnbc.com)
• Microsoft’s strong quarter backs up its stock rebound. Here's our new price target (cnbc.com)
• Here are five key takeaways from the Fed rate decision and Warsh news conference (cnbc.com)
• Ford reports mixed third-quarter results, says 2027 earnings will be in line with this year (cnbc.com)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill is about to report earnings. Here's what to expect (cnbc.com)