Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
U.S. stock futures climbed on Thursday as optimism grew over potential Federal Reserve rate cuts and solid third-quarter earnings from several major companies lifted investor sentiment. The market rally reflects increasing confidence that lower borrowing costs could sustain economic momentum and corporate profitability through the year’s end.
United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) shares slipped 1.3% despite forecasting record-high quarterly revenue, driven by robust travel demand and improved pricing power. Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) surged 5.9% after the cloud software giant raised its long-term revenue target to over $60 billion by 2030 and announced a $7 billion share buyback plan, reinforcing confidence in its growth strategy.
Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) gained 1.5% ahead of its financial analyst meeting during the company’s AI-focused Las Vegas conference, with investors anticipating updates on cloud and artificial intelligence initiatives. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) rose 2% as strong global demand for AI infrastructure continued to boost chip production and revenue forecasts.
Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW) jumped 4.2% after beating third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, driven by resilient market activity and fee growth. KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY) advanced 1.3% following a notable profit increase fueled by higher-yielding assets and lower deposit costs.
Meanwhile, Snap-On (NYSE:SNA) dipped 0.2% despite surpassing earnings estimates, as stronger sales to auto repair and parts businesses supported growth. Travelers (NYSE:TRV) dropped 6% even after reporting a profit surge supported by lower catastrophe losses and stronger investment returns. Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK) gained 0.4% as elevated equity markets boosted client asset values and management fees.
Overall, Wall Street’s premarket momentum underscores optimism around monetary easing and resilient corporate earnings, signaling potential gains ahead for U.S. equities.
