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 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
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 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Asian Markets Rise on Tech Gains
Most Asian stocks climbed on Wednesday, buoyed by the tech sector's strong performance. Regional markets followed a positive lead from Wall Street, where technology stocks spurred overnight gains.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7%, while the TOPIX index gained 0.1%. In Australia, the ASX 200 edged up 0.2%, and Indian futures hinted at a positive open after Tuesday's market recovery.
Chinese Markets Plunge Amid Stimulus Disappointment
Chinese stocks experienced sharp declines. The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes dropped over 4% from recent highs. Investors were disheartened by the lack of specifics on new stimulus measures, which dampened optimism following Tuesday’s brief rally after the Golden Week holiday.
Beijing’s announcement of monetary stimulus in late September, including proposed rate cuts and increased liquidity support, did little to reassure markets. Investors were also frustrated by the absence of targeted fiscal policies.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Falls, Tech Limits Losses
The Hang Seng index fell by 0.5%, continuing a 10% decline from the previous session. However, losses were cushioned by the tech sector, which showed some resilience.
Focus Shifts to Global Inflation and the Federal Reserve
As U.S. futures traded flat in Asian markets, attention shifted to upcoming Federal Reserve announcements and inflation data. Earlier bets on a slower pace of U.S. rate cuts had weighed on markets at the start of the week, but investors remain cautious, awaiting further economic cues.
