OECD Sees Bank of Japan Raising Interest Rates to 2% by 2027 
US Inflation Expected to Rise Again in April as Fed Signals Higher Interest Rates 
Asian Currencies Slide as Indian Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Iran Tensions 
ASX Names Former Euronext Executive Anthony Attia as New CEO 
Australia Housing Tax Reform Sparks Debate Over Property Investor Tax Breaks 
Gold Prices Steady Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting as Inflation and Oil Concerns Persist 
Asian Stocks Steady as Iran War Concerns Persist Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
Trump, Xi Begin High-Stakes China Summit Focused on Trade, Taiwan and Global Tensions 
Trump Says Iran Ceasefire ‘On Life Support’ as Oil Prices Surge Above $104 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Strong U.S. Inflation Data Boosts Dollar 
S&P Global Revises Mexico Credit Outlook to Negative Amid Rising Debt Concerns 
Oil Prices Hold Above $100 as Trump-Xi Meeting and Iran Conflict Keep Markets on Edge 
US Stock Futures Slip as Iran Tensions and Hot Inflation Data Pressure Wall Street 
Oil Prices Slip as Strait of Hormuz Disruptions and U.S. Inventory Data Keep Markets on Edge 
New Zealand Budget 2026 Focuses on Fiscal Discipline and Infrastructure Investment 
US, Japan Reaffirm Strong Currency Coordination Amid Yen Volatility 
Japan Considers Extra Budget Aid Amid Rising Fuel and Utility Costs 
U.S. stock index futures moved higher Wednesday evening as investors remained optimistic about technology and semiconductor stocks ahead of a highly anticipated meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The positive momentum followed another strong session on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs thanks to renewed strength in artificial intelligence and chip-related shares.
By late evening trading, S&P 500 Futures gained 0.1% to 7,480.25, while Nasdaq 100 Futures climbed 0.5% to 29,631.0. Dow Jones Futures also edged up 0.2% to 49,905.0. Investor sentiment improved after reports suggested the Trump-Xi discussions could ease tensions between the United States and China, particularly regarding technology exports and trade restrictions.
Market attention is now centered on Thursday’s summit in Beijing, where Trump arrived alongside major U.S. business leaders including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla chief Elon Musk. Analysts expect talks to address tariffs, Taiwan, artificial intelligence cooperation, and broader economic relations between the two global powers.
Chipmaking stocks rallied strongly after hopes emerged that Washington may soften export controls on semiconductor sales to China. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged 2.6%, recovering losses from the previous session and nearing record territory once again. Nvidia and other AI-linked companies continued to attract strong investor interest amid growing optimism surrounding the global AI industry.
Despite concerns over inflation and geopolitical risks linked to the Iran conflict, investors largely favored growth and technology sectors. Earlier this week, hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data raised expectations that the Federal Reserve could maintain higher interest rates for longer. Adding to market focus, the U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chairman, replacing Jerome Powell whose term ends this week.
