Norway Core Inflation Hits 3.2% in April, Fueling Interest Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Traders Watch U.S.-Iran Ceasefire and Trump-Xi Talks 
Asian Stocks Rise Despite Middle East Tensions as Chipmakers Boost Markets 
Australia Budget 2026: Smaller Deficit Expected Amid Tax Reform Push 
Russian LNG Shadow Fleet Expands Amid Arctic LNG 2 Sanctions 
Dollar Gains on Safe-Haven Demand as Iran Tensions and Inflation Data Loom 
Malaysia Unveils Energy Security Plan Amid Iran Conflict and Rising Oil Costs 
Goldman Sachs Delays Fed Rate Cut Forecast to 2026 Amid Rising Inflation Concerns 
ECB Signals Possible Interest Rate Move if Inflation Outlook Fails to Improve 
Saudi Aramco Q1 Profit Jumps 25% as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Reshapes Oil Exports 
Oil Prices Rise as Dollar Gains Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
KOSPI Hits Record High as AI Chip Demand Boosts Samsung and SK Hynix 
US Stock Futures Slip as Trump Rejects Iran Peace Proposal Amid Rising Middle East Tensions 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as AI Stocks Rally and Strong Jobs Data Boost Confidence 
Asian Currencies Slide as Iran Tensions Boost Dollar and Oil Prices 
Indian Stock Market Drops as Iran Conflict Fuels Oil Price and Inflation Fears 
U.S. stock index futures traded mostly flat on Monday evening as investors remained cautious ahead of the latest U.S. consumer inflation report and ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Market sentiment was also influenced by expectations surrounding a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week.
S&P 500 Futures held near 7,438 points, while Dow Jones Futures stayed relatively unchanged at 49,802 points. Nasdaq 100 Futures posted slight gains, supported by continued optimism surrounding artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks. Wall Street closed at fresh record highs on Monday, with chipmakers once again leading the rally.
The S&P 500 finished up 0.2% at a record 7,412.87, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average also gained 0.2%. The Nasdaq Composite edged 0.1% higher as investors continued to favor technology and AI-related companies.
Attention is now firmly focused on Tuesday’s U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which could provide important clues about inflation trends and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook. Economists expect headline CPI inflation to rise sharply to 3.7% year-over-year, while core inflation is projected to remain stable at 2.7%.
Rising oil prices linked to the Iran conflict have increased concerns about inflationary pressure. Crude prices remain near four-year highs due to supply disruption fears and uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. Higher energy prices have already started impacting domestic fuel costs and investor expectations for future Fed rate cuts.
Geopolitical tensions also weighed on sentiment after President Trump reportedly rejected Iran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Comments suggesting possible renewed U.S. involvement in securing the Strait of Hormuz further increased market uncertainty.
Investors are now closely monitoring inflation data, oil prices, and geopolitical developments for direction on Wall Street and global financial markets in 2026.
