Japan Posts First Current Account Deficit in 17 Months as Dividend Payments Surge 
China Inflation Cools in July as CPI Misses Forecast, PPI Deflation Eases 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await U.S. Jobs Data 
Asian Stocks Mixed as Chip Selloff Hits KOSPI, Nikkei Ahead of US Jobs Data 
US Job Growth Seen Picking Up in July 
BOJ Signals Faster Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Raise September Move Odds 
European Stocks Flat as Oil Prices Rise, US CPI in Focus 
US Dollar Falls as Weak July Jobs Report Dents Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Australian Shares Fall as Westpac Slides, Miners Gain Ahead of RBA Decision 
China Exports Beat July Forecasts as AI Demand Fuels High-Tech Trade 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
Gold Prices Surge 7% as Dollar Falls, Fed Rate Hike Bets Ease 
Goldman Sachs Sees US Stock Buybacks Outpacing Equity Issuance as AI Funding Rises 
US Stock Futures Flat as Iran Strait of Hormuz Demands Fuel Oil Concerns 
US Dollar Gains as Iran Tensions, Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Thursday evening, giving back some gains after a strong Wall Street rally driven by optimism surrounding a new U.S.-Iran agreement and a powerful surge in semiconductor stocks. Trading activity remained relatively light ahead of the Juneteenth holiday, as investors assessed geopolitical developments and the outlook for interest rates.
S&P 500 Futures declined 0.2% to 7,553.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures slipped 0.3% to 30,622.50 points. Dow Jones Futures also moved lower, falling 0.1% to 51,934.0 points.
Investor sentiment improved significantly after U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement includes a 60-day negotiation period focused on Iran’s nuclear program, with Tehran committing not to pursue or develop nuclear weapons.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, boosted market confidence by easing concerns over potential disruptions to energy supplies. As a result, oil prices fell sharply, helping reduce fears that higher energy costs could fuel persistent inflation.
Wall Street closed higher on Thursday, recovering from losses recorded in the previous session after the Federal Reserve adopted a more hawkish tone on interest rates. The S&P 500 gained 1.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a more modest increase of 0.1%.
Technology and semiconductor stocks led the rally. Intel Corporation surged more than 10% after Trump stated that Apple had agreed to collaborate with the chipmaker on semiconductor development projects in the United States. The announcement sparked broad gains across the chip sector, pushing the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index up 6.4% to a record closing high.
Artificial intelligence-related optimism also continued to support major technology stocks. Meanwhile, Apple shares edged higher after CEO Tim Cook indicated that rising memory costs could force the company to increase prices on some devices.
Despite Thursday’s strong gains, the slight decline in futures suggests investors remain cautious as they monitor geopolitical developments, Federal Reserve policy signals, inflation trends, and the performance of the technology sector.
