US Equity Futures Mixed as Traders Assess AI Overspending Concerns, Raised Odds of Fed Rate Increase

08:15 AM EDT, 10/15/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were lower pre-bell Thursday as traders evaluated concerns surrounding artificial intelligence overspending and the increased possibility of an interest-rate increase by the Federal Reserve. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.3% higher, S&P 500 futures were down 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.1% lower. Investor reservations regarding AI firm overspending were highlighted by a decline in CoreWeave (CRWV) stock, which was down 3.5% premarket following a 16% fall at Wednesday's close. The company's yield on its 9.625% senior unsecured notes due 2032 rose to over 15% midday on Wednesday from 13% at the start of the month, according to the Trace bond pricing information service. Chief Executive Officer Mike Intrator said the plunge in the company's stock and bond prices is due to the market acting "irrationally," Bloomberg News reported. The consumer price index rose 0.6% in September, as expected in a Bloomberg-compiled poll, and from 0.4% in August, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CME FedWatch tool showed the probability of the Federal Reserve raising its target rate by 25 basis points in October is at 31.6%, almost doubling from 17.7% a week ago. Traders evaluated the latest round of corporate earnings, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) reporting higher Q3 net income and revenue. Oil prices were mixed, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 1.4% at $104.58 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.4% higher at $95.46 per barrel. The September Producer Price Index, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to increase 0.6% following a 0.4% gain in the preceding month, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg. The weekly jobless claims bulletin is expected to show 200,000 new unemployment claims for the week ended Oct. 10, up from 198,000 in the prior week. The September retail sales report is forecast to show a 0.3% gain following a revised 1.1% gain in the preceding month. The Philadelphia Fed's regional manufacturing index for October is seen coming in at 28.0, down from 37.8 posted previously. The October Empire State manufacturing index is seen coming in at 12.0 versus 7.6 previously. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh and Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack are the Fed speakers for Thursday.