US Futures Flat Amid Caution, Gold Surges Above $4,000

U.S. stock futures traded flat to slightly lower on Wednesday, with Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures showing muted movement as investors stayed cautious amid stretched AI valuations and persistent geopolitical risks. Market participants awaited fresh cues from upcoming Federal Reserve comments and key economic data. Meanwhile, gold prices surged past $4,000 per ounce, reflecting heightened safe-haven demand as uncertainty around global markets and the ongoing U.S. government shutdown continued to weigh on overall investor sentiment. Spot gold climbed to record highs in global markets. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}