Oil Prices Slide as Middle East Tensions Ease and U.S. Crude Inventories Shrink 
Trump Plans 25% Tariff on EU Car Imports Amid Rising U.S.-EU Trade Tensions 
RBA Raises Interest Rates to 4.35% Amid Rising Inflation Risks and Middle East Tensions 
RBA Rate Hike Outlook: Impact on AUD/USD and ASX 200 
Yen Volatility and Middle East Tensions Drive Dollar Strength in FX Markets 
Eurozone Recession Risks Rise as Middle East Conflict Threatens Growth, ECB Official Warns 
Asian Stocks Rise as South Korea Hits Record High on AI Chip Rally 
UAE Exits OAPEC Amid Shift Toward Independent Oil Strategy and Market Uncertainty 
US Moves to Secure Gulf Shipping Amid Rising Tensions with Iran 
Middle East Conflict Impacts Australia and New Zealand Businesses 
China Services PMI Rises in April Despite Weak Export Demand 
Oil Prices Hold Above $100 Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions and U.S.-Iran Uncertainty 
US Stock Futures Steady as Earnings Season and Jobs Data Take Center Stage 
Fed’s Goolsbee Warns Inflation Remains Elevated, Signals Caution on Rate Cuts 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as RBA Rate Hike and Middle East Tensions Shape Market Sentiment 
Iran Warns No Military Fix for Hormuz Crisis as Talks Show Progress 
Asian Stocks Rise Slightly as Oil Prices Hold Steady Amid Middle East Uncertainty 
U.S. stock index futures moved higher Tuesday night after President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause in “Operation Freedom,” a military initiative aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Investors reacted positively to Trump’s statement that the suspension could help finalize a potential agreement with Iran, fueling optimism about easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
By 19:39 ET, S&P 500 Futures gained 0.4% to 7,315 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures jumped 0.8% to 28,363 points. Dow Jones Futures also advanced 0.2% to 49,510 points. The gains followed a strong Wall Street session that pushed major U.S. indexes to fresh record highs.
Trump stated that negotiations with Tehran had made “great progress,” suggesting that a comprehensive Iran deal could be close. Although military operations in the Strait of Hormuz have been paused temporarily, the U.S. will reportedly maintain its naval blockade against Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also indicated earlier that the campaign was intended to be temporary, helping boost investor confidence.
Recent tensions in the region had raised concerns after Iran allegedly targeted several vessels and launched missile strikes toward the United Arab Emirates. In response, U.S. forces reportedly struck Iranian ships, increasing fears of broader conflict and disruptions to global oil supply routes.
Despite geopolitical uncertainty, Wall Street continued its rally. The S&P 500 closed 0.8% higher at a record 7,259.23, while the Nasdaq Composite surged 1% to another all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.7% to 49,298.25.
Technology stocks also supported the market rally. Alphabet shares reached record highs after reports revealed a massive $200 billion spending commitment tied to AI startup Anthropic. AMD shares soared more than 15% in after-hours trading after the chipmaker posted stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings and issued upbeat guidance, highlighting continued growth in artificial intelligence demand.
Investors are now watching upcoming earnings reports from Arm Holdings, Disney, Uber, McDonald’s, Gilead Sciences, and McKesson, along with Friday’s closely watched U.S. nonfarm payrolls data.
