Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
U.S. stock index futures declined Thursday amid escalating Middle East tensions and uncertainty over recent U.S.-China trade developments. Dow E-minis dropped 269 points (0.63%), S&P 500 E-minis fell 25.5 points (0.42%), and Nasdaq 100 E-minis slid 74 points (0.34%).
Investors showed caution after an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, India, with over 200 passengers on board. Boeing shares (NYSE:BA) plunged 7.6% in premarket trading. The incident added to broader risk-off sentiment already pressured by geopolitical risks.
President Donald Trump announced the repositioning of U.S. personnel in the Middle East, calling it a “dangerous place,” and warned Iran against pursuing nuclear weapons. An Iranian official responded by threatening U.S. bases if nuclear talks fail. The developments come ahead of a sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.
In trade news, China confirmed a consensus on a trade agreement with the U.S., urging both sides to honor the deal. Markets await further details from this week’s two-day talks in London, as investor focus remains on tariff impacts and global economic stability.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) fell 1.7% and Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) lost 1.1%, tracking broader tech weakness. In contrast, Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) jumped 7.7% after raising its revenue forecast on surging AI-related demand.
Gold prices rose, boosting U.S.-listed gold miners. Newmont climbed 1.5%, Harmony Gold gained 3.5%, and AngloGold Ashanti advanced 4.2%. Oklo shares slid 5.8% after launching a $400 million stock offering.
Markets also await May’s Producer Price Index and initial jobless claims, due later today. Citigroup (NYSE:C) analysts noted tariff effects may intensify in late summer, while current inflation appears muted.
The S&P 500 is now 2% below its February peak, while the Nasdaq is 2.7% off its December high.
