Your Morning Briefing: 5 Essential Market & Economic Updates for September 12, 2025

Good morning, and welcome to your essential market briefing for September 12, 2025. As global markets awaken, investors are grappling with a flurry of data and breaking news. From a surprisingly robust jobs report to pivotal developments in the tech sector and volatile commodity markets, today promises to be another day of significant movement and strategic recalibration.

Here's what you need to know to navigate the day ahead.

First up, global markets are bracing for a dynamic open following a mixed bag of overnight data and pre-market futures trading. Asian equities largely closed lower, pressured by persistent inflation concerns in key economies, while European bourses are showing cautious optimism on early indications.

U.S. stock futures point to a slightly higher open, driven by a renewed focus on corporate earnings and selective sector strength. Traders are keenly watching bond yields, which have seen some fluctuation, reflecting ongoing debate about the future path of interest rates.

Second, the U.S.

labor market continues to defy expectations, with yesterday’s non-farm payrolls report showing a significant upside surprise. The economy added 350,000 jobs in August, far exceeding analyst forecasts and pushing the unemployment rate even lower. This robust jobs growth, while signaling economic strength, has reignited concerns about inflation and could prompt the Federal Reserve to maintain its hawkish stance longer than anticipated.

Analysts are now closely scrutinizing upcoming inflation figures and Fed commentary for any hints of policy shifts in response to this strong employment picture.

Third, major tech giants are under intense scrutiny as a landmark antitrust hearing kicks off in Washington. The focus is squarely on a prominent social media platform, accused of stifling competition and monopolistic practices.

This trial could set a precedent for how governments regulate powerful tech companies globally, potentially reshaping the digital landscape and impacting investment strategies in the sector. Investors are particularly wary of potential regulatory fines or mandates that could alter business models and profitability for these industry titans.

Fourth, oil prices are experiencing renewed volatility, climbing sharply overnight amidst escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Reports of a significant supply disruption in a major oil-producing region have sent Brent crude futures soaring above $90 a barrel. This surge is exacerbating fears of inflationary pressures and could complicate central banks' efforts to control rising prices. Analysts are watching closely for any de-escalation or further supply chain impacts, as energy costs remain a critical factor for global economic stability.

Finally, consumer spending data paints a resilient picture for the broader economy, with August retail sales growing by a solid 0.7%, beating expectations.

This robust performance suggests that consumers are continuing to spend, buoyed by the strong labor market and relatively stable wage growth, even in the face of higher interest rates. The data provides a crucial counterpoint to recessionary fears, indicating underlying strength in household demand, though some economists warn that persistent inflation could eventually erode this purchasing power.

These are the five key stories shaping market sentiment today, September 12, 2025.

Stay tuned to CNBC for continuous updates and in-depth analysis as these stories unfold throughout the trading day.