S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures Rise as Iran Risks and CPI Loom 
Dollar Steady as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Slip as Oil Jumps on Iran Tensions 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
Asian Stocks Mixed as RBA Holds Rates, Oil Risks Rise 
US Dollar Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Inflation Data 
Wall Street Slips as Oil Prices Surge 5% on Iran-Hormuz Uncertainty 
England Drought Expands to 71% as Heatwave Deepens Water Crisis 
UK Retail Sales Rise as World Cup and Heatwave Boost Food, Pubs and Clothing 
Australian Shares Fall as Westpac Slides, Miners Gain Ahead of RBA Decision 
Japan Executives Warn Weak Yen and Currency Volatility Threaten Economy 
Asian Stocks Rise as Weak US Jobs Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Gold Prices Hold Near Seven-Week High as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
Australia Housing Crisis Deepens as Worker Shortages Delay Homebuilding 
Gold Price Hits Two-Month High as Investors Await US Inflation Data 
European Stocks Flat as Oil Prices Rise, US CPI in Focus 
Yen Stabilizes After Intervention Slide as Australian Dollar Hits Eight-Week High 
U.S. stock futures were little changed Tuesday evening after Wall Street suffered a second consecutive session of losses, as investors turned their attention to upcoming U.S. inflation data for clues about the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook.
S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1% to 7,752.0, while Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.1% to 29,665.0 by 21:08 ET (01:08 GMT). Dow Jones futures were broadly flat at 53,868.0.
During Tuesday’s regular session, the S&P 500 declined 0.3%, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.3%.
Markets are now focused on Wednesday’s U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for July, which could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next interest-rate decision. Economists expect headline CPI to increase 0.1% month over month after falling 0.4% in June, while annual inflation is forecast at 3.4%, down from 3.5%. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, is expected to rise 0.2%.
The inflation report has gained importance after weaker U.S. labor-market data reduced expectations for a September Fed rate hike. A stronger-than-expected CPI reading could, however, revive expectations for tighter monetary policy and put additional pressure on stocks.
Investor caution is also being fueled by rising geopolitical tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. U.S.-Iran negotiations have encountered new obstacles, while uncertainty over shipping routes has pushed Brent crude higher for a sixth consecutive session, bringing prices close to $90 a barrel.
Fresh maritime attacks have added to concerns about supply disruptions. Houthi rebels reported an attack on commercial shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while the U.S. Navy disabled a Panama-flagged vessel near the Gulf of Oman.
With U.S. stocks trading near record levels, investors are likely to remain highly sensitive to inflation, Federal Reserve policy signals and developments in global oil markets.
