S&P 500 Rises as AI Stocks and Small Caps Rally on Strong Earnings Outlook 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Indian Rupee Strengthens Sharply After U.S.-India Trade Deal Announcement 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Japan Finance Minister Defends PM Takaichi’s Remarks on Weak Yen Benefits 
Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength Caps Gains 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Japan Election Poll Signals Landslide Win for Sanae Takaichi, Raising Fiscal Policy Concerns 
Gold and Asian Stocks Rebound as Market Volatility Eases and Global Sentiment Improves 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
South Korea Inflation Hits Five-Month Low as CPI Reaches Central Bank Target 
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at record highs on Thursday, driven by strong U.S. retail sales data and upbeat corporate earnings. The Nasdaq rose 153.78 points (0.74%) to 20,884.27, marking its sixth record close in seven sessions. The S&P 500 gained 33.66 points (0.54%) to 6,297.36, while the Dow Jones climbed 229.71 points (0.52%) to 44,484.49.
Investors embraced signs of resilient consumer spending, despite concerns over inflation and President Trump’s recent tariffs. U.S. retail sales rebounded sharply in June, indicating strong consumer confidence even amid trade tensions and higher prices. Analysts noted that both economic indicators and earnings have provided support for the ongoing market rally.
Fed Governor Adriana Kugler confirmed Thursday that interest rate cuts remain on hold as policymakers assess the inflationary impact of import tariffs. Market expectations now place the probability of a September rate cut at 54%, while a July move is largely dismissed, according to CME’s FedWatch tool.
Earnings from major consumer and tech companies boosted sentiment. PepsiCo surged 7.5% after upbeat forecasts, fueled by demand for energy drinks and healthier beverages. United Airlines jumped 3.1% on stronger post-July demand. Delta and American Airlines also gained over 1.4%.
Tech stocks rallied following strong earnings from TSMC, the top AI chipmaker, which reported record quarterly profits and strong AI demand. U.S.-listed shares of TSMC rose 3.4%, with Marvell and Nvidia up 1.6% and 1%, respectively.
Financials led sector gains with a 0.9% rise. Netflix advanced 1.9% before posting better-than-expected earnings, boosted by the final season of “Squid Game.” Analysts say Big Tech could see more upside as AI momentum and earnings season continue.
