US Equity Futures Rise Pre-Bell as Traders Assess Implications of Democrat Win in US Midterm Elections

08:29 AM EST, 11/04/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were edging higher pre-bell Wednesday as traders evaluated the implications of the results of the US midterm elections, with the Democrats gaining control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 1.7% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.8%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.2% higher. The sweeping win of the Democrats could bring about a legislative deadlock between President Donald Trump's administration and the Democratic Congress, as well as affect regulation in areas such as healthcare, banking and cryptocurrencies. Analysts also see more probes into the technology sector and a potential slowing down of the artificial intelligence data center buildout, according to a Reuters report. Traders also digested the latest round of earnings, with McDonald's (MCD) posting higher Q3 non-GAAP earnings and revenue, and Uber Technologies (UBER) reporting higher Q3 non-GAAP earnings and revenue. Arm (ARM) and Qualcomm (QCOM) are expected to report their fiscal Q2 and fiscal Q4 earnings, respectively, after the market closes. Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 1.7% at $101.8 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 1.7% lower at $94.44 per barrel. The ADP employment report showed the US economy created 86,000 private jobs in October, from a revised 86,000 in the prior month. The international trade in goods report for September, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to post a deficit widening to $107.9 billion from $105.6 billion in the prior month. The S&P Global purchasing managers' index composite final report for October is due at 9:45 am ET, followed by ISM's services data at 10:00 am ET.