European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
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 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
U.S. stock index futures edged higher Thursday evening following modest Wall Street gains, driven by corporate earnings from Apple and Microsoft. Investors now focus on Friday’s personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index for insights into the Federal Reserve’s next move after maintaining a hawkish stance.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.1% to 6,104.75, while Nasdaq 100 Futures climbed 0.3% to 21,695.50. Dow Jones Futures ticked up 0.1% to 45,076.
Tech earnings fueled market sentiment. Microsoft stock dropped 6% despite surpassing estimates, as its cloud revenue and AI-related expenses disappointed. Apple stock gained 3% in after-hours trading despite missing iPhone sales estimates. Meta rose 1.6% on strong Q4 revenue but warned of weaker current-quarter sales. Tesla shares climbed nearly 3% on cost-cutting measures and plans for an affordable EV model.
Outside tech, Caterpillar shares fell 4.6% on weak Q4 revenue and a lackluster 2025 outlook. UPS plunged over 14% after cutting 2025 guidance and slashing Amazon deliveries by over 50%.
The NASDAQ Composite gained 0.3% to 19,681.75, the Dow Jones rose 0.4% to 44,881.64, and the S&P 500 advanced 0.5% to 6,071.18.
Friday’s PCE inflation report is expected to show a 0.3% month-over-month increase, signaling persistent inflation. The Fed’s stance remains cautious, with Chair Jerome Powell emphasizing strong labor markets and ongoing price pressures.
Meanwhile, trade policy uncertainties linger. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, including a 25% levy on Canadian and Mexican oil imports, have fueled investor concerns. Markets await clarity on exemptions before the tariffs take effect Saturday.
