South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
U.S. stock index futures were relatively flat Tuesday evening following a strong regular session that pushed the S&P 500 close to its all-time closing high. By late evening, S&P 500 Futures hovered near 7,007.75, Nasdaq 100 Futures nudged 0.1% higher to 26,012.75, and Dow Jones Futures remained steady at 48,752.0 points.
During the day's trading session, major indexes posted solid gains. The S&P 500 climbed 1.2%, the Nasdaq Composite surged nearly 2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced approximately 0.7%. The rally was largely fueled by strength in technology stocks and a pullback in oil prices, both of which responded positively to emerging signs of a potential diplomatic resolution in the Middle East.
President Donald Trump indicated that Iranian officials had reached out expressing interest in negotiations, raising investor hopes that the ongoing geopolitical conflict could ease. Despite the optimism, the situation remains tense, with the U.S. enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian shipping lanes while Iran has issued warnings targeting Gulf state ports after weekend peace talks broke down.
Adding to the bullish sentiment, U.S. producer price index data came in softer than anticipated. Annual PPI rose around 4.0% against forecasts of 4.6%, signaling that inflationary pressures in the supply chain may be gradually easing — a welcome development for Federal Reserve policy watchers.
On the corporate earnings front, results were mixed. JPMorgan Chase topped profit expectations on robust trading activity, while Wells Fargo fell short on revenue despite reporting higher earnings. Johnson & Johnson exceeded estimates and lifted its full-year guidance, boosted by strong pharmaceutical demand.
Investor attention now shifts to Wednesday, when Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and semiconductor equipment giant ASML are scheduled to report results — outcomes that could set the tone for broader market momentum heading into the rest of earnings season.
