Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
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 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
U.S. stock index futures edged slightly lower Thursday evening as investors exercised caution ahead of high-stakes ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran, while bracing for a closely watched inflation report. All three major futures contracts — the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones — dipped 0.1%, reflecting a wait-and-see mood following a strong regular trading session.
Wall Street capped a positive day, with the S&P 500 extending its winning streak to seven consecutive sessions. Optimism around potential Middle East de-escalation, combined with renewed investor appetite for technology stocks, fueled the rally. The S&P 500 gained 0.6%, the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.8%, and the Dow Jones climbed 0.6%.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the U.S.-Iran conflict moved forward as delegates from both nations were scheduled to meet in Pakistan — marking the first direct talks since hostilities broke out in late February. However, uncertainty loomed after Iran accused the U.S. and Israel of violating the two-week ceasefire agreement almost immediately after it was announced. Iran's ambassador to Pakistan also deleted a social media post confirming the delegation's arrival, leaving the talks' status in question. Key disputes remain unresolved, particularly surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely kept blocked despite earlier commitments to allow safe passage.
Investor attention also turned to Friday's Consumer Price Index report for March. Analysts anticipate a sharp rise in headline inflation, driven largely by surging fuel costs linked to Iran's Hormuz blockade. This follows Federal Reserve minutes revealing policymakers' growing concerns about war-driven inflation pressures. Persistent inflation could diminish the Fed's willingness to cut interest rates in 2025.
Adding to the cautious tone, fourth-quarter GDP data revealed economic growth came in notably weaker than initially estimated. Markets will also be watching upcoming earnings from major chipmakers TSMC and ASML for further directional cues.
