Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
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 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
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 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
The S&P 500 surged 1.5% on Friday, with the Nasdaq rising 1.6% and the Dow Jones climbing 600 points (1.4%) after an intense meeting between former President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stirred geopolitical concerns.
During their Oval Office discussion, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not expressing enough gratitude for U.S. support in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Trump suggested a rare earth minerals deal could improve Ukraine’s negotiating stance, warning Zelenskyy against risking World War III. Following the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. on social media, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to a just peace.
Meanwhile, U.S. inflation data showed PCE prices rose 0.3% in January, maintaining December’s pace. Year-over-year, PCE inflation slightly eased to 2.5%, while core PCE slowed to 2.6%, aligning with expectations. Consumer spending, however, unexpectedly declined by 0.2%, clouding the economic outlook for the Federal Reserve, which has paused interest rate cuts.
Tech stocks faced pressure, with Dell dropping over 4% due to expected margin declines in 2026 amid rising AI server costs. HP fell more than 6% after warning that Trump’s proposed tariffs on China could increase expenses.
Bitcoin trimmed losses but remains down 17% in February as risk sentiment wanes. While digital assets initially surged after Trump’s election victory, fading hopes for crypto-friendly policies and tariff fears have dampened enthusiasm.
Elsewhere, gold prices remained under pressure, and oil was set for its first monthly decline since November.
