US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Global stocks fell for the first time in three sessions on Wednesday as renewed tariff concerns weighed on investor sentiment. The U.S. dollar climbed, and Wall Street saw a sharp sell-off led by tech stocks, ahead of a press conference from President Donald Trump, who confirmed incoming auto tariffs.
The Dow Jones fell 132.71 points (0.31%) to 42,454.79, the S&P 500 dropped 64.45 points (1.12%) to 5,712.20, and the Nasdaq plunged 372.84 points (2.04%) to 17,899.02. The declines ended a three-day winning streak and put U.S. indexes on track for back-to-back monthly losses for the first time since October 2023.
Durable goods orders unexpectedly rose 0.9% in February, driven by a rush to secure metals ahead of expected tariffs, defying forecasts of a 1% drop. Trump also announced 25% secondary tariffs on countries purchasing Venezuelan oil.
Investor confidence remains shaky. “The likelihood that April 2 will bring policy clarity is low,” said Matt Stucky of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management, suggesting more trade-related headlines are likely.
The dollar index rose 0.33% to 104.56, with the euro slipping to $1.0751 and the yen weakening to 150.55 per dollar. Sterling dropped to $1.2885 after UK inflation data missed expectations and the finance minister scaled back spending plans.
MSCI’s global stock index fell 0.92% to 845.65, while Europe’s STOXX 600 shed 0.7%, despite optimism around German stimulus measures.
U.S. 10-year Treasury yields climbed to 4.333% amid strong demand for five-year notes. Fed officials reiterated caution on rate cuts due to economic uncertainty.
Oil prices rose, with U.S. crude up 0.94% to $69.65 and Brent gaining 1.05% to $73.79, supported by falling inventories and concerns over global supply amid U.S. threats of sanctions on Venezuelan crude buyers.
