8 PM After-Hours Flash: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI Final — Actual: 55.1 (Est: 54.9) | AIB Manufacturing PMI — Actual: 54.9 | Balance of Trade

Builders are firing on all cylinders. S and P Global just dropped its final manufacturing PMI at 55.1, beating estimates of 54.9 and surging well above last month’s 51.6. That’s the strongest factory pulse we’ve seen in months.

Ireland’s AIB Manufacturing PMI also climbed to 54.9 from 53.7, adding to the upbeat global production picture. Trade data out of Asia delivered another surprise. The balance of trade widened to 23.77 billion, topping forecasts of 23 billion. Exports jumped 48 percent year-over-year, crushing the 45.3 percent expected, while imports rose 16.7 percent, well above the 14.5 percent consensus.

These stronger-than-expected numbers from factories and trade flows are feeding fresh optimism across European futures and lifting risk sentiment as Asian markets digest the releases. That momentum could keep tomorrow’s SPX bias tilted to the upside, provided Wall Street picks up the baton at the open.

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