Middle East Oil Exports Top Pre-War Levels Despite Hormuz Attacks 
World Bank Raises South Asia Growth Forecast to 6.9% 
Asian Stocks Rise as Nasdaq Record Offsets Bond Yield Pressure 
US Stock Futures Rise as Weak Jobs Data Eases Fed Hike Bets 
Samsung, SK Hynix Shares Fall Ahead of Q3 Earnings 
Australia Consumer Confidence Plunges as RBA Rate Hike Hits Households 
Euro Hits 17-Month Low as France Debt Fears Boost Dollar 
OPEC+ Keeps November Oil Output Targets Steady 
India-US Trade Deal Talks Hit Plateau, Sitharaman Says 
Asian Currencies Slide as Dollar Rises, Euro Hits 17-Month Low 
Oil Prices Fall as Middle East Exports Recover, G7 Eases Supply Fears 
German Industrial Orders Plunge 10.6% in August 
Wall Street Rises as Oil Prices Ease, Nasdaq Hits Record 
RBI Rate Hike Bets Surge as Inflation Rises 
Ukraine Faces $56 Billion Budget Gap as War Costs Soar 
Gold Prices Slip as Strong Dollar and High Treasury Yields Weigh 
Nasdaq Hits Record High as Tech Stocks Lift Wall Street 
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U.S. stock market investors are preparing for another volatile week as the July jobs report, key corporate earnings, and Federal Reserve policy expectations shape market sentiment. While the S&P 500 ended the week higher, the benchmark index remains about 1.6% below its June 2 record high after experiencing sharp daily swings.
Markets continue to react to mixed earnings from major technology companies that have fueled the artificial intelligence rally. Microsoft shares surged after the company issued a strong cloud growth outlook, while Meta Platforms fell following a sharp decline in cash flow, highlighting investor sensitivity to AI-related spending and profitability.
The Federal Reserve also remains a central focus after holding interest rates steady in a hawkish decision. Investors are still assessing comments from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, who reaffirmed the central bank's commitment to lowering inflation to its 2% target while offering less guidance on future policy moves. June core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation came in at 3.3% year over year, reinforcing concerns that interest rates could remain elevated.
Attention now shifts to the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report due on August 7. Economists surveyed by Reuters expect the economy to have added 83,000 jobs in July, while the unemployment rate is projected to edge up to 4.3%. A stronger-than-expected labor market could increase expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike in September, with futures markets currently pricing in a 64% probability.
Corporate earnings will also dominate the week, with results expected from SpaceX, Eli Lilly, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Caterpillar, Palantir, and Merck. Investors will closely monitor these reports for signs of corporate strength and AI-related spending trends.
Despite recent volatility driven by geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices, and higher Treasury yields, the S&P 500 remains up more than 9% in 2026. Strong second-quarter earnings continue to provide support, with LSEG IBES data indicating S&P 500 profits are on track to increase 29.3% from a year earlier.
Market participants will be watching whether strong earnings and economic data can help stocks regain momentum or reinforce expectations for tighter monetary policy in the months ahead.
