S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Asian stocks tumbled Friday, led by steep declines in Japan and South Korea, as tech shares mirrored Wall Street’s Nvidia-driven slump. Investors also assessed Tokyo’s latest inflation data ahead of the key U.S. PCE inflation report, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s rate outlook.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 3.2%, hitting its lowest since September 2024. SoftBank (TYO:9984) plunged 5.3%, while Tokyo Electron (TYO:8035) lost 5.1% and Panasonic (TYO:6752) fell 2%. South Korea’s KOSPI declined 3.1%, with Samsung Electronics (KS:005930) down 2.2% and SK Hynix (KS:000660) sinking 4.7%. India’s Nifty 50 fell 1%, and Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 1.1%.
In China, the Shanghai Composite dropped over 1%, while the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 fell 0.9%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 2.6% but remained on track for a 15% gain in February, fueled by investor enthusiasm for DeepSeek’s AI advancements. Despite U.S. tariff concerns, Chinese tech stocks surged, with Alibaba (HK:9988) soaring 48% and Xiaomi (HK:1810) up 37% this month.
Tokyo’s core CPI rose 2.2% in February, easing from January’s 2.5% but staying above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for the fourth month. Japan’s industrial output fell 1.1% in January, though manufacturers expect a 5% rebound in February. Meanwhile, retail sales rose 3.9% YoY, signaling steady consumer spending.
Global markets remain volatile as investors weigh inflation data, interest rate expectations, and tech sector performance.
