Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
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.
