Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Slip as Oil Jumps on Iran Tensions 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
Gold Price Hits Two-Month High as Investors Await US Inflation Data 
Yen Stabilizes After Intervention Slide as Australian Dollar Hits Eight-Week High 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures Rise as Iran Risks and CPI Loom 
US Stock Futures Flat as Iran Strait of Hormuz Demands Fuel Oil Concerns 
US Yen Intervention Unlikely to Deliver Lasting Recovery, Yardeni Says 
England Drought Expands to 71% as Heatwave Deepens Water Crisis 
Gold Prices Rise as Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
China Inflation Cools in July as CPI Misses Forecast, PPI Deflation Eases 
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
Japan Posts First Current Account Deficit in 17 Months as Dividend Payments Surge 
Japan Executives Warn Weak Yen and Currency Volatility Threaten Economy 
Singapore Raises 2026 GDP Growth Forecast as AI Demand Fuels Economy 
Gold Prices Hold Near Seven-Week High as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
Oil prices climbed on Tuesday as stalled U.S.-Iran peace negotiations and uncertainty over reopening the Strait of Hormuz renewed concerns about global energy supplies. Asian stock markets, meanwhile, traded cautiously as investors assessed geopolitical tensions and the outlook for inflation and interest rates.
Brent crude futures reached $88.00 per barrel, while U.S. crude futures rose to $82.45, their highest levels since July 31. Both contracts had surged roughly 5% on Monday.
The gains followed another escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. U.S. President Donald Trump responded to Iran’s conditions for a peace agreement by demanding compensation for people killed in wars, attacks and protests. The tougher rhetoric could complicate negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments.
IG market analyst Tony Sycamore described the situation as a standoff, suggesting oil prices could remain within a $75-$95 range while markets wait for a breakthrough.
Higher energy prices are also increasing attention on Wednesday’s U.S. July consumer price index report. Economists expect headline CPI to rise 0.1% month-on-month and core inflation to increase 0.2%. A stronger-than-expected reading could revive expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike, with markets currently divided over the next policy move.
Asian equities were mixed. MSCI’s broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan gained 0.2%, while South Korea’s Kospi advanced 0.3%. Nasdaq futures rose 0.28% and S&P 500 futures added 0.1%.
Investor sentiment was also influenced by Nvidia’s announcement that it is partnering with six major financial institutions on compute financing platforms designed to raise more than $500 billion in third-party capital for AI infrastructure.
Currency markets remained focused on the Japanese yen, which traded near 159 per dollar amid concerns about further U.S.-Japan intervention. The euro traded around $1.1546, while sterling stood at $1.3512.
Gold benefited from continued market uncertainty, with spot prices rising 0.5% to $4,409.81 an ounce as geopolitical tensions, higher oil prices and inflation concerns supported demand for safe-haven assets.
