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 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Asian stock markets paused on Monday after posting strong weekly gains, with thin holiday trading in China, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States keeping activity subdued. Investors turned cautious following weak Japan GDP data and ahead of key global economic releases later this week, including U.S. fourth-quarter GDP and global manufacturing surveys.
Japan’s economy expanded just 0.1% annualized in the December quarter, sharply below the 1.6% forecast, as government spending weighed on growth. The disappointing data highlights the economic challenges facing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and strengthens expectations for additional fiscal stimulus. Despite the weak figures, the Nikkei index edged up 0.2%, extending last week’s 5% rally. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan gained 0.1%, while South Korea and Taiwan recently posted weekly surges of 8.2% and nearly 6%, respectively.
Market strategists warn that heavy investment in AI infrastructure could trigger volatility, particularly in Asian memory stocks. Concerns are mounting that if major technology firms slow capital expenditure, sectors like Korean and Taiwanese semiconductors could face sharp corrections after significant gains.
In the United States, S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% and Nasdaq futures added 0.1% as investors await Walmart earnings for insight into consumer spending trends. Defensive stocks have outperformed amid a rotation away from technology shares, pressured by soaring AI-related capex costs. Hyperscaler capital expenditure plans have climbed to $660 billion, contributing to a 7% year-on-year drop in S&P 500 share buybacks.
Bond markets attracted strong inflows as Treasury yields fell, with two-year yields closing at 3.408%, their lowest since mid-2022. Markets now price in a strong probability of a Federal Reserve rate cut by June. The U.S. dollar index slipped to 96.890, while gold eased to $5,014 per ounce and oil prices held steady, with Brent crude at $67.74 per barrel.
