U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Asian Markets Hit by Tech and Luxury Slowdown
Asian equities tumbled on Wednesday following disappointing earnings from European tech giant ASML and French luxury firm LVMH. These underwhelming results shook investor confidence, with key Asian stock indices in the red.
South Korea's tech-heavy index fell 0.6%, while Japan's Nikkei dropped 1.8%, led by chip stocks. Taiwan's stocks slipped 1.2%, contributing to a 0.32% decline in MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan.
ASML Earnings Disappoint, Chip Stocks Hit Globally
ASML, a major supplier to chipmakers like TSMC, Intel, and Samsung, reported lower-than-expected sales forecasts for 2025. Despite a boom in AI-related chips, other semiconductor sectors remain weak, causing customer caution.
“The ASML numbers were not good, signaling broader issues in the semiconductor market outside of AI,” said Nick Ferres, CIO at Vantage Point Asset Management.
China’s Luxury Demand Falters
French luxury brand LVMH also reported declining demand in China, further dampening optimism around China’s stimulus measures. Investors are now closely watching China’s upcoming announcement on property sector policies, hoping for more robust action to stabilize growth.
U.S. Dollar Strengthens on Fed Rate Expectations
In the U.S., shifting expectations regarding the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts have buoyed the dollar. The U.S. dollar index hovered near its highest levels since August, driven by speculation of a 25 basis point rate cut in the coming months.
Oil Prices Steady Amid Middle East Uncertainty
Oil prices remained steady after recent declines, with Brent crude rising 0.4% to $74.56 per barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate up 0.5% at $70.93, as markets remained uncertain about Middle East tensions and global supply risks.
