Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a fresh record high on Wednesday as gains in healthcare and consumer stocks offset weakness in technology shares. Investors paused after the recent AI-driven market rally while closely monitoring developments in Middle East peace negotiations and upcoming U.S. inflation data.
The Dow climbed 182.60 points, or 0.36%, to finish at 50,644.28. The S&P 500 edged up 0.02% to 7,520.36, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.07% to close at 26,674.74. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also recorded new closing highs for a second consecutive session.
Healthcare and consumer-related stocks helped drive the market higher. Procter & Gamble surged 3.2%, while UnitedHealth advanced 1.9%. Consumer discretionary stocks led sector gains, rising 1.9% overall.
Technology and semiconductor shares, however, pulled back after recent strong performances. Qualcomm dropped 6%, Marvell Technology fell 4.6%, and Intel declined 1.4%. Nvidia slipped 1%, contributing to a 1.4% decline in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index after the benchmark reached record levels earlier this week.
Banking stocks also weighed on the market. JPMorgan Chase shares tumbled 2.4% after CEO Jamie Dimon warned that company expenses could exceed previous forecasts by approximately $1 billion this year.
Investor sentiment remained cautious as U.S.-Iran negotiations continued. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said progress had been made in talks with Iran, although President Donald Trump stated unresolved issues still remain.
Oil prices also pressured the market, with the S&P 500 energy sector falling 1.5% as crude prices dropped nearly 5%.
Elsewhere, cybersecurity company Zscaler plunged 31.5% after issuing weaker-than-expected revenue guidance. Meanwhile, Bath & Body Works jumped 9.7% following strong quarterly earnings, and Abercrombie & Fitch gained after reporting better-than-expected profits.
Goldman Sachs raised its 2026 year-end target for the S&P 500 to 8,000 from 7,600, citing resilient corporate earnings growth and continued market momentum.
