Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
U.S. stocks closed mixed Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq setting new record highs, fueled by strong tech performance and easing trade tensions following a deal between the U.S. and Vietnam. The Dow Jones dipped slightly, ending 0.02% lower at 44,484.42 but remained within 1.2% of its December record.
Tech giants Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) led the Nasdaq to a 0.94% gain, closing at 20,393.13. Tesla rose 5% despite reporting a sharp drop in Q2 deliveries, with some analysts noting the decline was less severe than feared. Leveraged ETF TSLL, offering 2x daily exposure to Tesla, saw high trading volume.
The S&P 500 added 0.47%, closing at 6,227.42. The market initially opened lower after weaker-than-expected private payroll data but rebounded after the announcement of 20% tariffs on Vietnamese exports under the new trade deal. Investors welcomed the development, hoping it signals progress in broader trade talks. The Trump administration also hinted at a potential agreement with India.
Investor attention now turns to Thursday’s non-farm payrolls report, released a day early due to the July 4 holiday. Economists expect cooling job growth and a slight uptick in the unemployment rate to 4.3%, which could push the Federal Reserve closer to rate cuts.
Centene (NYSE: CNC) plunged 40% after withdrawing its 2025 earnings outlook, citing a major revenue shortfall in its health insurance plans.
Trading volume reached 16.95 billion shares, just below the 20-day average. Analysts say investor sentiment remains risk-on, driven by hopes of looser monetary policy and improving trade dynamics.
