09:25 AM EDT, 10/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were up ahead of Thursday's opening bell, with futures of technology sector-heavy Nasdaq Composite outperforming other benchmarks following strong earnings from chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( TSM ) .

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.2% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.5% higher.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( TSM ) reported higher Q3 earnings and net revenue that topped analysts' estimates and issued Q4 revenue guidance that also topped projections.

The US government shutdown, now in its third week, has deprived investors of key economic data.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.5% at $62.22 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.5% higher at $58.58 per barrel.

The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing index, released at 8:30 am ET, came in at negative 12.8 for October after September's 23.2 reading, compared with estimates compiled by Bloomberg for 10.0.

The National Association of Home Builders' Housing Market Index, slated for 10 am ET, is seen coming in at 33 for October versus 32 previously.

The federal agency bulletins on the producer price index and retail sales are suspended.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 1.3% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.1% lower, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.1% higher. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.2%, and Germany's DAX index was up 0.1% in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( TSM ) stock was up 2% pre-bell. JB Hunt Transport Services (JBHT) shares were 14% higher after the company reported late Wednesday higher Q3 earnings.

On the losing side, American Battery Technology ( ABAT ) stock was down 22% after the company said Wednesday that the US Department of Energy terminated a grant related to its lithium hydroxide project.