Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
U.S. stocks rallied sharply Monday, driven by renewed appetite for AI-related equities and growing confidence that the Federal Reserve could deliver a December interest rate cut. At the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.5%, the S&P 500 rose 1.4%, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ surged 2.7%. Despite the strong session, major indexes remain on track for a weak November, with the S&P 500 down 3.5% month-to-date, the NASDAQ lower by 6.1%, and the Dow off 2.8%.
Tech stocks led the recovery as Alphabet shares soared more than 6%. Investor enthusiasm grew after the company’s Gemini AI model received a significant upgrade, intensifying competition with OpenAI. A leaked memo suggested OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged Google’s momentum could create “temporary economic headwinds.” Other AI leaders, including NVIDIA and Oracle, also posted solid gains, reinforcing optimism around the sector’s long-term growth.
Rate-cut expectations strengthened after recent comments from key Federal Reserve officials. New York Fed President John Williams signaled support for a December cut, a stance echoed by Fed Governor Christopher Waller, who noted that economic conditions have not shifted meaningfully since the last policy meeting. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the probability of a 25-basis-point cut has climbed to nearly 69%, up from 44% just a week ago.
Investors now await a wave of delayed U.S. economic data, including producer inflation, retail sales, industrial production, and third-quarter GDP. Signs of slowing growth or a cooling labor market could bolster the case for more easing, though the Fed will meet in December without November’s full payroll data.
Geopolitical sentiment also improved after President Trump accepted an invitation to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in April, raising hopes of progress in U.S.–China trade relations.
In corporate news, Agilent Technologies is set to report earnings after the close, while Novo Nordisk shares tumbled following weak Alzheimer’s trial results. Biogen stock climbed as analysts suggested Novo Nordisk’s setback could boost Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi.
