S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian stocks traded in a tight range Wednesday as China’s markets pulled back after a stimulus-driven rally, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX advanced 0.7% and 0.8%, respectively, ahead of the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) rate decision. The BOJ is expected to hold rates steady after its January hike but may adopt a hawkish stance amid persistent inflation and wage growth expectations, with markets pricing in another hike by May.
Despite a weak Wall Street lead, Asian markets found support from continued optimism over China’s economic stimulus and AI sector growth. However, China's Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes dipped 0.3%, along with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, which recently hit a three-year high. Tech giant Xiaomi surged nearly 2% on strong earnings and rising electric vehicle sales targets.
Elsewhere, South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.7%, shrugging off political uncertainty ahead of a ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment. SK Hynix, a key supplier for NVIDIA, climbed 1% after shipping advanced memory chip samples. Singapore’s Straits Times index rose 0.4%, while Australia’s ASX 200 edged lower. Indian Nifty 50 futures pointed to a positive open, rebounding from recent losses.
Investors remained cautious over potential U.S. trade tariffs and ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace talks, while U.S. stock futures inched higher ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, where no change is expected.
Asian markets continue to navigate global economic uncertainty, with China’s stimulus efforts and Japan’s monetary policy playing key roles in shaping regional sentiment.
