Gold Prices Hold Near Seven-Week High as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Stocks Rise as Weak US Jobs Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
Gold Prices Surge 7% as Dollar Falls, Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Rise Ahead of September Meeting 
Iran-Oman Near Strait of Hormuz Deal as Shipping Tensions Persist 
South Korean Won Leads Asian FX Losses as Dollar Rises 
Canada, US Hold Constructive Trade Talks as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
European Stocks Flat as Oil Prices Rise, US CPI in Focus 
US Stock Futures Flat as Iran Strait of Hormuz Demands Fuel Oil Concerns 
Australian Shares Fall as Westpac Slides, Miners Gain Ahead of RBA Decision 
US Dollar Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Inflation Data 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Reopening Remains Uncertain 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await U.S. Jobs Data 
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
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.
