Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
U.S. stock index futures ticked higher Thursday evening, extending optimism after record closes for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fueled by Alphabet’s strong quarterly results and upbeat AI outlook. However, broader gains were capped by steep declines in Tesla, IBM, Honeywell, and UnitedHealth following lackluster earnings and guidance.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.1% to 6,408 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures added 0.1% to 23,393 points, and Dow Jones Futures climbed 0.1% to 44,947 points as of 19:34 ET. Paramount Global gained 1.4% in after-hours trading after the FCC approved its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
Alphabet’s second-quarter earnings surpassed expectations, signaling continued investment in artificial intelligence. The results boosted AI-linked stocks, with NVIDIA rising 1.8%. Sentiment was further supported after President Donald Trump signed three executive orders and unveiled a 90-part plan to accelerate U.S. AI development.
The S&P 500 closed 0.1% higher at 6,363.39, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.2% to 21,957.96—both new record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, dropping 0.7% to 44,694.09, pressured by losses in IBM, Honeywell, and UnitedHealth. Tesla plunged 8% after CEO Elon Musk warned of “rough quarters” ahead as vehicle sales continued to decline. Intel also slid 3.7% and extended losses in after-hours trade following a disappointing forecast and new cost-cutting measures.
Investor caution persisted ahead of Trump’s August 1 tariff deadline, with hopes for additional trade deals tempered by weaker-than-expected manufacturing PMI data showing U.S. factory activity contracted in July. Nonetheless, overall business activity remained resilient, supported by a stronger services sector.
