China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
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 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
U.S. stock index futures moved higher on Thursday evening after President Donald Trump announced that a peace agreement with Iran had been reached and could be formally signed in the coming days. The news boosted investor confidence and extended the strong rally seen across Wall Street.
S&P 500 Futures gained 0.2% to 7,408.50, while Nasdaq 100 Futures climbed 0.3% to 29,542.0. Dow Jones Futures also edged up 0.1% to 50,933.0, reflecting improved market sentiment ahead of Friday’s trading session.
Wall Street ended Thursday with significant gains, led by technology stocks. The S&P 500 rose 1.75%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.86%, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 2.54%. Chipmakers and other AI-related companies rebounded strongly after recent losses, supported by continued optimism surrounding artificial intelligence growth.
Investor sentiment improved after Trump stated that negotiations with Iran had progressed and a final agreement could soon be signed in Europe. Earlier, he indicated that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen and that the United States would end its naval blockade of Iran. Multiple reports also suggested ongoing discussions between Washington and Tehran, including talks about releasing frozen Iranian assets.
The prospect of easing tensions in the Middle East helped reduce concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies and inflation. Additional support came from softer-than-expected U.S. core producer price index data for May, which suggested inflation pressures may be moderating.
Meanwhile, markets are closely watching SpaceX as the aerospace company prepares to begin trading on the Nasdaq on Friday. The Elon Musk-led firm priced its shares at $135 each, raising $75 billion in what is being described as the largest initial public offering in U.S. history.
SpaceX sold 555.56 million shares, giving the company a valuation of approximately $1.77 trillion. The valuation reflects investor enthusiasm for Musk’s long-term vision, including space-based data centers and future Mars colonization projects. The company’s stock is valued at roughly 90 times its projected 2025 revenue, highlighting strong expectations for future growth.
With geopolitical risks easing, inflation concerns cooling, and one of the most anticipated IPOs set to debut, investors will be watching closely for the next catalyst driving U.S. stock market performance.
