Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
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 Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower Wednesday night as investors weighed mixed signals from the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes, adding fresh uncertainty to the outlook for interest rates and monetary policy in 2026. Market participants are also closely watching upcoming Walmart earnings for insights into U.S. consumer spending and the broader economic outlook.
As of 20:00 ET (01:00 GMT), S&P 500 Futures dipped to 6,892.0 points. Nasdaq 100 Futures declined nearly 0.1% to 24,942.75, while Dow Jones Futures slipped 0.1% to 49,685.0. The muted movement followed a positive regular trading session, where Wall Street indices gained on the back of a rebound in technology stocks and data showing resilience in the U.S. economy. However, gains were capped as investors digested the Fed’s cautious tone.
The Federal Reserve minutes revealed that policymakers unanimously voted to hold interest rates steady at 3.50% to 3.75%. Still, officials appeared divided over the next steps. Several members warned that inflation could take longer than expected to return to the central bank’s 2% target. Some policymakers even suggested that further rate hikes may be necessary if inflation remains elevated. This stance contrasts with market expectations that inflation pressures will ease and interest rates will decline later this year. Artificial intelligence was also highlighted as a source of uncertainty, with debate over whether rapid AI expansion could fuel or temper inflation.
Attention now turns to Walmart’s fourth-quarter earnings report. Analysts expect earnings per share of $0.7269 on revenue of $190.4 billion. As the world’s largest retailer, Walmart is widely viewed as a bellwether for U.S. consumer health, particularly amid persistent inflation concerns.
Meanwhile, investors are monitoring geopolitical tensions with Iran, as reports indicate increased U.S. military activity in the Middle East. Additional economic data, including U.S. trade figures and weekly jobless claims, are also set to influence market sentiment.
