Gold Prices Slide as Strong Dollar and Rate Concerns Pressure Bullion 
US-Iran Gulf Clash Raises Oil Market and Defense Stock Concerns 
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Tensions Escalate and Ceasefire Prospects Fade 
Goldman Sachs Sees U.S. Dollar Holding Firm as Strong Economic Data Supports Outlook 
Trump Forced Labour Tariff Plan Faces Criticism as Experts Question Effectiveness 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Boosts Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Sink as AI Rally Cools and Middle East Tensions Rattle Markets 
Gold Prices Tumble as Strong U.S. Jobs Report Fuels Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Japan Q1 2026 GDP Growth Revised Lower as Weak Investment and Middle East War Pressure Economy 
Indian Companies Battle Rising Costs as Oil Prices, Freight Rates and Inflation Pressure Margins in 2026 
Dollar Near Two-Month High as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
US Dollar Poised for Weekly Gain as Middle East Tensions and Payroll Data Boost Market Focus 
Gold Prices Hit 11-Week Low as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Dampens Rate Cut Hopes 
US Dollar Hits Near Two-Month High as Strong Jobs Data and Middle East Tensions Boost Rate Hike Expectations 
UK House Prices Slip for Third Straight Month as Borrowing Costs and Iran Conflict Weigh on Demand 
Canada-Indonesia Trade Pact Gains Momentum as Carney and Prabowo Discuss Economic Cooperation 
Indonesia Central Bank to Draft New Regulations After Expanded Economic Growth Mandate 
U.S. stock index futures edged higher on Sunday evening as investors looked for a recovery in technology and semiconductor stocks following last week’s sharp market sell-off. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to weigh on market sentiment after Iran launched missile strikes against Israel over the weekend.
S&P 500 futures gained 0.1% to 7,411.25, while Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.6% to 29,174.50. Dow Jones futures also rose 0.1% to 50,751.0, signaling a cautiously optimistic start to the trading week.
The rebound comes after Wall Street suffered significant losses on Friday, driven largely by a steep decline in technology and chipmaking stocks. Investors moved to lock in profits after an extended artificial intelligence-driven rally, while stronger-than-expected U.S. nonfarm payrolls data fueled concerns that interest rates could remain elevated for longer.
The Nasdaq Composite recorded its worst session since April 2025, plunging 4.2% to 25,709.43. The S&P 500 dropped 2.6% to 7,383.74, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.4% to 50,866.78. Semiconductor stocks led the decline, with AI giant Nvidia falling more than 6% during Friday’s session.
Meanwhile, geopolitical risks intensified after Iran launched missile attacks on Israel in response to Israeli military operations targeting Hezbollah-linked positions in Lebanon. Reports suggest Israel is considering retaliatory measures, although U.S. President Donald Trump has urged restraint in hopes of preserving diplomatic efforts with Tehran.
The growing conflict has raised concerns about disruptions to global energy markets. Oil prices surged following the attacks, increasing fears of inflationary pressure and potential economic fallout. Higher energy costs, combined with resilient U.S. labor market data, have strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve may maintain a restrictive monetary policy stance.
Investors will closely monitor developments in the Middle East, oil price movements, Treasury yields, and upcoming economic data for further direction in U.S. financial markets.
