Best Low-Cost Brokers for Buying US Stocks from Europe (2026 Comparison: Trade Republic, DEGIRO & IBKR)

Markets posted modest gains on Thursday, with investors treading cautiously ahead of Friday’s closely watched inflation report. Volumes were thin as traders positioned for fresh signals on the Federal Reserve’s next move. ## Wall Street Inches Up on Light Volume The **S&P 500** closed modestly higher, rising for a second straight session as the index added to its recent recovery. The **Nasdaq Composite** also advanced, buoyed by megacap tech stocks. The **Dow Jones Industrial Average** finished just above the flat line, reflecting persistent uncertainty across blue chips. Treasury yields held steady, with the benchmark 10-year note hovering near recent lows. Market participants largely stayed on the sidelines, awaiting Friday’s release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index—a key inflation gauge for the Federal Reserve. ## Key Movers: Tech Leads, Energy Lags Technology shares led the day’s gains. Investors rotated into growth stocks as bond yields stabilized, with chipmakers and cloud software names outperforming. The rotation followed a stretch of volatility driven by shifting expectations for Fed policy and mixed signals from recent economic data. Energy stocks, meanwhile, lagged the broader market. Oil prices slipped, pressured by concerns about oversupply and signs of weakening demand from Asia. Gold prices were little changed, as traders weighed the prospects of a Fed rate cut against persistent inflation pressures. ## FX and Commodities: Dollar Steady, Oil Slips The **U.S. Dollar Index (DXY)** held firm, consolidating recent gains as currency markets braced for the PCE data. The **EUR/USD** pair traded in a narrow range, reflecting cautious sentiment across global markets. In commodities, crude oil extended its recent decline. Traders cited both rising U.S. inventories and softening demand from China as reasons for the pullback. Gold prices traded sideways, with investors reluctant to make big bets ahead of the inflation reading. ## What to Watch: Eyes on Friday’s PCE Report All eyes turn to Friday’s release of the core PCE price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation. A hotter-than-expected print could challenge hopes for interest rate cuts later this year, while a cooler reading may spark a relief rally in both stocks and bonds. Beyond inflation, investors are monitoring the final stretch of the first-quarter earnings season and tracking developments in the energy market. For those considering adjustments to portfolio strategy, now may be an opportune moment to review broker fees and trading platforms. Our ultimate guide to European broker fees and our comparison of ETF platforms for 2026 can help inform your next move. Market direction now hinges on tomorrow’s inflation data. We’ll be back with the key takeaways and what they mean for your portfolio.