Hungary Industrial Output Beats Forecasts With 4.7% July Growth 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
OPEC+ Expected to Hold October Oil Output Steady 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
Asian Stocks Rally as Fed Rate Hike Fears Ease 
Turkey Targets 5% Economic Growth by 2029 
U.S. Payrolls Seen Rebounding in August as Labor Market Stays Soft 
Gold Holds Near $4,400 as Fed Hike Bets Rise 
Japan Foreign Reserves Plunge $79.6 Billion After Record Yen Intervention 
Asian Currencies Rise as Yen Surges on Fed Rate Outlook 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Tensions Threaten Supply 
US Oil Blockade Deepens Iran’s Economic Crisis 
Uranium Prices Could Top $100 as Nuclear Demand Grows 
Jefferies Names 6 Top India Stock Picks Across Key Sectors 
Japan, US Target AI and Chips in $550 Billion Investment Push 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
Singapore Straits Times Index Hits Record High as Banks, Property Stocks Rally 
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U.S. stock markets closed slightly higher on Wednesday as investors balanced strong gains in consumer sectors against weakness in energy and financial stocks. The S&P 500 ended nearly flat at 7,520.45, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.1% to close at 26,674.74. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.4% to 50,644.41. All three indexes achieved new record highs despite cautious trading sentiment.
Market analysts noted that investors are taking profits after a powerful rally driven mainly by technology stocks and artificial intelligence demand. The S&P 500 has surged roughly 18% since late March, while technology shares have jumped nearly 38%. Experts believe the market trend remains positive, although volatility could increase in the coming weeks as earnings season winds down.
Technology stocks, especially semiconductor companies, remained a key focus. Micron Technology continued attracting attention as demand for AI-related memory chips boosted investor confidence. The company recently surpassed a $1 trillion market value, joining major Asian chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Analysts expect Micron’s revenue and profits to continue growing through 2026 and 2027 due to increasing AI infrastructure investments.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions also influenced trading activity. Reports about a possible memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran briefly raised hopes for reduced conflict in the Middle East. However, the White House rejected claims made by Iranian state media regarding a proposed agreement. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that diplomatic discussions are ongoing, though no official deal has been finalized.
Oil prices declined as traders anticipated improved shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route. Brent crude futures dropped to around $95 per barrel after recent spikes above $100.
Among individual stocks, PDD Holdings fell more than 10% after disappointing quarterly revenue results, while Abercrombie & Fitch jumped 9% following stronger-than-expected earnings.
