Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs Wednesday, driven by strong gains in Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and GE Vernova amid signs of a potential U.S.-EU trade agreement. The deal, expected to mirror President Trump’s prior accord with Japan, could introduce a broad 15% tariff on EU imports, including cars, according to diplomats.
The S&P 500 rose 0.78% to 6,358.91, while the Nasdaq added 0.61% to 21,020.02. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.14% to 45,010.29, just shy of a record close. Year-to-date, the S&P 500 has advanced about 8% and the Nasdaq nearly 9%, buoyed by optimism over trade and robust corporate earnings.
GE Vernova surged 14.6% after boosting revenue and free cash flow forecasts, benefiting from soaring AI and cryptocurrency data center energy demand. Nvidia gained 2.25%, continuing its leadership in the AI chip market. Thermo Fisher (NYSE: TMO) also jumped 9% on strong earnings, while Texas Instruments (NASDAQ: TXN) plunged 13% after weak guidance signaled soft demand for analog chips, dragging peers like NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) and Analog Devices (NASDAQ: ADI) lower.
Market volatility eased, with the CBOE Volatility Index hitting a five-month low. Investors now await U.S. jobless claims and PMI data for further economic signals. Fed rate cuts are viewed as unlikely next week, with September odds around 58%, per CME FedWatch.
Trading volume was heavy at 19.1 billion shares, above the 20-day average. Advancing stocks outnumbered decliners in the S&P 500 by more than 2-to-1, with 50 new highs recorded.
