Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
U.S. stock futures showed little movement on Wednesday evening after Wall Street closed lower, with investors awaiting crucial economic data that could shape the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook. By 20:18 ET (00:18 GMT), S&P 500 futures rose 0.1% to 6,701.0 points, Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.1% to 24,768.75 points, and Dow Jones futures added 0.1% to 46,504.0 points.
In regular trading, major indexes slipped as technology stocks weighed on sentiment. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite fell 0.3% each, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.4%. The weakness came as investors grew cautious ahead of weekly jobless claims and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation report, the Fed’s preferred measure of price growth.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, speaking earlier in the week, reiterated that there is “no risk-free path” in balancing inflation and labor market risks. He also warned that asset prices remain “fairly highly valued” and cautioned against assuming recent inflation progress ensures a smooth decline toward the Fed’s 2% target. His remarks reinforced expectations that the central bank will remain cautious in shifting monetary policy.
Markets are now focused on Thursday’s release of jobless claims, expected to show 233,000 initial claims for the week ended Sept. 20, slightly above the prior week’s 231,000. On Friday, the August PCE price index is forecast to reveal core inflation at 2.9% year-on-year, still above the Fed’s goal.
Meanwhile, sector performance highlighted ongoing market volatility. AI-related stocks including Nvidia and Oracle extended declines for a second day, while Micron Technology slipped despite reporting strong demand from artificial intelligence developers. In contrast, Intel surged over 6% following reports it approached Apple regarding a potential investment, offering a bright spot in the otherwise subdued session.
With key economic data ahead, investors remain reluctant to take big positions, waiting for clearer signals on the Fed’s next policy steps heading into year-end.
