S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
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 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
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 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Asian stocks bounced back at the start of the month, tracking Wall Street’s strong finish last week. Investors remained cautious ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming trade tariff decision, with uncertainty over potential tariff rates hinting at softer measures.
Major U.S. stock indexes closed higher Friday after PCE inflation data met expectations. Meanwhile, Asian stocks, which suffered steep losses in the previous session, saw strong gains Monday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 1.4%, while the TOPIX rose 1.2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng jumped 1.8%, Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite gained 2.2%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.6%. South Korea’s markets were closed for a holiday.
China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.7%, with the CSI 300 rising 0.8%, supported by better-than-expected manufacturing PMI data. The Caixin manufacturing PMI hit a three-month high, signaling resilience in China’s economy amid past stimulus efforts.
Trump’s tariff decision remains a key market focus. While the U.S. previously imposed 10% additional tariffs on China, Trump is set to finalize tariff rates on Tuesday, leaving room for potential adjustments. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted at a possible moderation in levies, easing investor concerns.
China’s highly anticipated “Two Sessions” meetings begin this week, with investors watching for economic policy signals. The National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are expected to outline strategies to stabilize China’s economy amid slowing growth, weak consumer confidence, and a struggling property sector. Analysts predict China will maintain its 5.0% GDP target while detailing fiscal and monetary policies to support economic recovery.
Markets remain on edge as investors assess trade developments and China’s next policy moves.
