Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. stock futures plunged late Thursday following reports that Israel launched military strikes on Iran. The S&P 500 Futures dropped 1.5% to 5,961.75, Nasdaq 100 Futures fell 1.7% to 21,567.55, and Dow Jones Futures declined 1.3% to 42,408. Markets reacted swiftly to geopolitical tensions, despite reports confirming no U.S. involvement in the operation.
Reuters, citing two U.S. officials, reported Israel’s actions came amid escalating regional tensions. Israel’s defense minister declared a nationwide state of emergency. While the U.S. remains officially uninvolved, the Biden administration had previously warned of military options if nuclear talks failed, with a critical deadline expiring Thursday. Iran has vowed retaliation for any strikes.
Earlier Thursday, U.S. equities closed higher. The S&P 500 gained 0.4%, the Nasdaq rose 0.2%, and the Dow added 0.2%, supported by a rally in Oracle shares. Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) hit record highs after raising its annual revenue growth target and highlighting strong AI-related demand.
However, Boeing (NYSE:BA) dropped 4.8% after an Air India 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, reportedly killing over 200 people. GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE), whose GEnx-1B engines power the aircraft, also fell 2.2%.
Economic data showed cooling inflation. May’s producer price index came in lower than expected, driven by cheaper services like air travel. The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain rates at 4.25%-4.50% in its upcoming meeting, with potential cuts anticipated in September.
President Donald Trump called Fed Chair Jerome Powell a "numbskull," pushing for a full-point rate cut to save $600 billion in debt interest. Trump also hinted at raising auto tariffs, reviving U.S.-China trade war concerns ahead of a July 9 trade deal deadline.
