Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
The S&P 500 ended slightly lower Wednesday after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 4.25%-4.50% and signaled a slower pace of rate cuts ahead. The Dow fell 44 points (-0.1%), the S&P 500 slipped 0.04%, and the Nasdaq rose 0.1%.
The Fed maintained its projection of two rate cuts in 2025 but revised its outlook for 2026 and 2027. Rates are now expected to fall to 3.6% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027, up from prior estimates. This hawkish shift reflects ongoing concerns over persistent inflation and economic uncertainty, further complicated by tariffs and policy ambiguity under President Donald Trump.
Economic data showed mixed signals. U.S. housing starts edged up 0.4% in May, but building permits declined, reflecting weakness in the housing market. Jobless claims fell to 245,000 last week, but signs point to a softening labor market.
Geopolitical tensions rose after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected Trump’s call for surrender, warning of “irreparable damage” if the U.S. intervenes militarily. Trump hinted at possible strikes but said Iran is open to talks.
Banking stocks moved amid reports that U.S. regulators may lower the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio (ESLR) for major banks like JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley from 5% to a 3.5%-4.5% range, easing capital requirements.
In corporate news, Peloton gained nearly 2% following successful cost cuts and financing efforts. Hasbro rose after announcing a 3% workforce reduction in response to higher tariffs. Circle Internet Group surged 20% after the Senate passed the GENIUS Act, laying the groundwork for stablecoin regulation—a move seen as pivotal for crypto adoption.
This combination of monetary policy shifts, geopolitical risks, and crypto legislation is keeping markets on edge.
