US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
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 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
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 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Asian stock markets surged to new highs on Thursday, powered by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence investments. Investors continued pouring money into AI-related assets, while gold prices hovered above $4,000 per ounce and the U.S. dollar maintained its recent strength. Meanwhile, oil prices eased after reports that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal to end their two-year conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump said he may travel to Egypt this weekend to discuss the peace plan’s next steps.
Global equity markets extended their rally as optimism surrounding AI fueled gains in tech-heavy indexes. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record levels, driven by strong investor confidence and bullish earnings projections. Analysts at JPMorgan noted, “The AI theme remains intact,” with another wave of billion-dollar investments flowing into the sector. Tech earnings growth estimates have climbed to 20.9% for the upcoming reporting season, up from 15.9% in June, led by giants like Nvidia and Apple. Overall, S&P 500 earnings are forecast to rise 8% in the third quarter, with revenue up 6.3%.
Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1.5%, nearing all-time highs as foreign investors purchased a net 2.5 trillion yen ($16.4 billion) in shares. Taiwan’s benchmark index also rose 1.2%, while Chinese blue chips gained 0.4% following strong Golden Week spending data showing 888 million domestic trips and 809 billion yuan ($113.5 billion) in sales.
In the U.S., Federal Reserve minutes revealed a cautious approach to further rate cuts despite inflation concerns. Futures markets still price in a 94% chance of a quarter-point cut in November. The dollar remained firm, trading near ¥152.54, while the euro steadied at $1.1641 after weak German industrial output data.
Gold stayed strong at $4,037 per ounce, supported by central bank buying and safe-haven demand amid expectations of U.S. rate cuts. Brent crude slipped 0.6% to $65.89 per barrel, while U.S. crude eased 0.7% to $62.12 as geopolitical tensions subsided.
