Oil Prices Ease After Sharp Rally as Trump Warns of More Action Against Iran 
Asian Stocks Rebound as SK Hynix Earnings Calm AI Fears, Oil Surges Ahead of Fed Decision 
European Stocks Edge Higher as Strong Earnings Offset Inflation and Fed Rate Concerns 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,025 Ahead of Fed Decision as Middle East Tensions Lift Oil 
Oil Prices Head for 21% Monthly Surge as Middle East Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Australia Inflation Cools as Core CPI Misses Forecasts, Easing RBA Rate Hike Pressure 
Oil Prices Jump as Trump Vows Response to Iran Attack, Supply Risks Return 
Fed Holds Rates Steady as US Dollar Slides, Euro and Yen Gain 
South Korea’s KOSPI Soars as Samsung, SK Hynix Rebound on Microsoft-Fueled AI Rally 
China PMI Falls Into Contraction as Manufacturing, Services Weaken in July 
Gold Price Slips as Stronger Dollar, Fed Rate Decision Weigh on Market 
Gold Prices Fall 1% Ahead of Fed Decision as Markets Watch Warsh, Iran Talks 
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Sticky Inflation, Weak Yen Shape USD/JPY and Nikkei Outlook 
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Plans Temporary Food Tax Cut to Ease Inflation Pressure 
Asian Stocks Slip as Fed Holds Rates, Samsung Earnings Fail to Lift AI Sentiment 
U.S. stock index futures moved higher late Thursday after strong quarterly results from Amazon and Microsoft renewed investor confidence in artificial intelligence, although gains were capped by a sharp decline in Apple shares following a weaker-than-expected sales outlook.
S&P 500 Futures climbed 0.26% to 7,491.75, Nasdaq 100 Futures advanced 0.7% to 28,440.0, and Dow Jones Futures added 0.2% to 52,506.0 by 20:10 ET (00:10 GMT).
Market sentiment also improved as geopolitical tensions showed signs of easing. Reports suggested Iran and Oman were engaged in talks regarding the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. President Donald Trump announced a disarmament agreement in Gaza. These developments helped reduce risk aversion, though investors remained cautious after a difficult month for technology stocks.
Amazon emerged as the biggest winner in after-hours trading, with shares jumping 9.4% after the e-commerce giant reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings. Its Amazon Web Services (AWS) division delivered its fastest revenue growth in 18 quarters, reinforcing optimism surrounding the company’s AI strategy. Amazon also highlighted accelerating demand for its artificial intelligence services and custom AI chips, adding to positive momentum created by Microsoft’s strong earnings report earlier in the week.
In contrast, Apple shares dropped more than 6% in extended trading despite solid iPhone sales. Investors focused on weaker sales in China, slower growth in its services business, and a revenue forecast of 9% to 11% for the current quarter, below Wall Street expectations of 12%. Apple also warned that higher memory and component costs, driven by booming AI demand, were creating supply chain pressures.
Earlier Thursday, Wall Street closed sharply higher. The S&P 500 gained 1.7%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 2.8%. Semiconductor stocks led the rally, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index soaring 8.2%, as investors regained confidence in AI-related spending despite Meta Platforms falling 8% after raising its capital expenditure outlook.
Even with Thursday’s rebound, major U.S. indexes remained on track for monthly losses. The S&P 500 was set to decline 0.8% in July, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite was headed for a steeper 4.2% monthly drop after a broad selloff in technology and chipmaking stocks.
