Israel-Lebanon Talks Resume in Rome as Ceasefire and Troop Withdrawal Remain Elusive 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
US Military Launches New Strikes on Iran, Targets Threats to Strait of Hormuz Shipping 
Trump Declassifies China Election Intelligence, Revives 2020 Election Security Claims 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
US Troop Pullback Raises NATO Security Concerns Amid Russia Tensions 
US-Iran Conflict Escalates as Hormuz Tensions Disrupt Global Oil Shipping 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Russian Missile Strike Sparks Fires in Kyiv After Early Morning Air Alert 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Russian and Ukrainian Strikes Kill at Least 13 as Attacks Intensify Across Frontline Regions 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
U.S. stock index futures gained on Monday evening as reports eased fears of disruptive trade tariffs under President-elect Donald Trump. Bloomberg reported that his team may propose a gradual tariff increase of 2%-5% monthly to enhance trade leverage while managing inflation risks, rather than imposing steep duties immediately. This approach, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, remains unconfirmed but could signal a tempered stance on trade policy.
Wall Street saw a mixed session, with cyclicals offsetting tech losses. The S&P 500 Futures rose 0.3% to 5,892.50 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures added 0.5% to 21,046.25, and Dow Jones Futures increased 0.2% to 42,607.0 by 18:13 ET.
Monday's gains come despite broader market caution over a slower pace of Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025. December’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, due Wednesday, could offer insights into inflation trends following strong payroll numbers last week. These data points may solidify expectations of continued high interest rates.
Major earnings reports this week will also shape market sentiment, with JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup among those set to release results.
While the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.9% to 42,297.12 points and the S&P 500 edged up 0.2% to 5,836.0 points on Monday, the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.4%, closing at 19,087.82, near a two-month low.
Investor focus remains on inflation, earnings, and Trump’s evolving trade strategies, all of which could drive market volatility. Continued monitoring of tariff policy and Federal Reserve signals will be crucial for traders navigating early 2025's economic landscape.
