Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
The S&P 500 surged 1.1% on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and maintained its forecast for two rate cuts in 2024, despite acknowledging persistent inflation. The Dow Jones rose 383 points (0.9%), while the NASDAQ gained 1.4%.
The Fed kept rates in the 4.25%-4.5% range, with projections showing a decline to 3.9% by year-end, unchanged from December. Inflation forecasts increased, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell suggested weaker economic growth might offset rising prices. Powell emphasized that while sentiment indicators softened, economic fundamentals, including the labor market, remain strong.
Tesla jumped over 4% after securing an initial regulatory approval for its robotaxi service in California. The California Public Utilities Commission granted the company a transportation permit, a crucial step toward launching autonomous ride services.
Boeing soared 7% as CFO Brian West highlighted improved operations. Meanwhile, Nvidia climbed more than 2% after CEO Jensen Huang downplayed concerns over tariff impacts.
General Mills, however, fell 2% after forecasting a significant decline in sales and profit due to increased competition from lower-cost private label brands.
Despite inflation concerns, analysts believe the Fed will prioritize labor market stability over short-term price increases. Investors remain optimistic about the central bank’s rate-cut timeline, fueling market gains.
