Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
U.S. stock futures remained stable on Thursday evening as investors reacted to new tariff threats from President Donald Trump and cautious Federal Reserve signals on interest rate cuts.
S&P 500 Futures held at 6,138.50 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures edged up 0.1% to 22,166.25 points. Dow Jones Futures saw slight gains, reaching 44,293.0 points.
Trump reiterated his intent to impose 25% tariffs on key sectors, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber, heightening fears of a trade war. He also warned of reciprocal tariffs on major trading partners, with some duties possibly taking effect by early April. The uncertainty over whether these threats are a negotiation strategy or a real policy shift kept investors cautious.
The stock market saw losses on Thursday, driven by weak corporate earnings and Fed concerns. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) dropped 6.5% after reporting lower-than-expected quarterly earnings, raising worries about slowing consumer spending. The decline affected other retail stocks. Block Inc (NYSE: XYZ) also fell 6% in after-hours trading due to disappointing results.
Additionally, recent Fed statements reinforced expectations that interest rates will remain unchanged in the near term. Policymakers expressed concerns about persistent inflation, partly influenced by Trump’s trade policies. The Fed’s January meeting minutes highlighted these inflation risks, dampening investor sentiment.
On Thursday, the S&P 500 slipped 0.4% to 6,117.63 points, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.5% to 19,962.36 points, and the Dow Jones fell 1% to 44,176.90 points. With economic uncertainty mounting, traders will closely watch developments on tariffs, interest rates, and corporate earnings.
