China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
U.S. stock index futures moved slightly lower on Wednesday evening after major benchmarks, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, closed at fresh record highs. Investors remained cautious as geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran continued, despite an extended ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump.
S&P 500 Futures declined by 0.3% to 7,153.25 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures slipped 0.1% to 27,045.0 points. Dow Jones Futures recorded a sharper drop of 0.5%, settling at 49,436.0 points. The pullback in futures came after a strong regular trading session, where the S&P 500 gained 1.1% to surpass the 7,130 mark, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 1.6%, driven largely by strength in technology stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also posted a solid 0.7% increase.
Market optimism earlier in the day was fueled by news that President Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran following a request from Pakistan. This development initially reduced fears of further escalation in the Middle East. However, investor sentiment shifted after reports that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized two container ships and opened fire on another vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route.
The incident raised concerns about the stability of the ceasefire and highlighted ongoing risks in the region. As a result, oil prices surged above $100 per barrel, adding to market volatility and increasing concerns about global supply disruptions.
On the corporate front, strong earnings and positive outlooks supported equities. Micron Technology reached record highs, while GE Vernova jumped after raising its revenue forecast. Boeing shares climbed on robust aircraft demand, and Boston Scientific gained following better-than-expected results.
Tesla also remained in focus after reporting mixed quarterly earnings. The company posted revenue of approximately $22.4 billion, falling short of expectations, although profit and free cash flow exceeded forecasts. Tesla stock initially rose in after-hours trading before reversing direction.
Investors are now closely watching upcoming earnings reports from major companies including Honeywell, American Express, Blackstone, American Airlines, and Lockheed Martin, which could further influence market direction.
