Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
The S&P 500 marked its fifth consecutive record close on Friday, driven by strong corporate earnings and optimism over potential trade agreements. At the 4:00 p.m. ET close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 208 points (0.5%), the S&P 500 added 0.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2%.
Investor sentiment remained upbeat as nearly 83% of the 155 S&P 500 companies that have reported so far exceeded Wall Street estimates, pushing both the S&P and Nasdaq to fresh intraday and closing highs this week.
Trade developments also buoyed markets. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a 50-50 chance of finalizing a trade deal with the European Union by Sunday, calling it potentially the biggest agreement among recent negotiations. The European Commission signaled optimism, with talks set to continue ahead of the August 1 deadline. Meanwhile, U.S. and Chinese officials are scheduled to meet in Stockholm next week to extend negotiations following earlier tariff-reduction agreements in May and June.
On the corporate front, Intel shares fell after projecting steeper third-quarter losses than analysts expected and announcing plans to reduce its workforce to 75,000 by year-end, a 22% cut from 2024 levels. Conversely, Deckers’ stock surged as strong first-quarter sales from its Hoka and Ugg brands exceeded forecasts. Paramount Global also edged higher after the Federal Communications Commission approved its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
With earnings season in full swing and major trade negotiations underway, investors are closely watching for signs of continued momentum in U.S. equities, which have rallied to historic levels despite lingering global trade tensions and cautious corporate guidance.
