Bank of Korea Signals Potential Interest Rate Hikes as Inflation Remains Elevated 
Global Markets Rise as Oil Prices Stabilize Amid Middle East Tensions 
Oil Prices Ease Slightly as Strait of Hormuz Tensions and U.S.-Iran Talks Support Market Above $100 
European Stocks Volatile as U.S.-Iran Tensions Threaten Oil Supply and Global Markets 
Copper Prices Hold Near Three-Week Low Amid Strong Dollar and Global Slowdown Fears 
Oil Prices Hold Above $100 Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions and U.S.-Iran Uncertainty 
Asian Markets Slip Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions and RBA Rate Hike Expectations 
Wall Street Mixed as Apple Earnings Boost Nasdaq and Oil Prices Ease 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as RBA Rate Hike and Middle East Tensions Shape Market Sentiment 
Gold Prices Slip Amid Iran Tensions and Rising Rate Concerns 
Dollar Holds Firm as Asian Currencies Stabilize Amid Middle East Tensions and Rate Uncertainty 
Fed’s Goolsbee Warns Inflation Remains Elevated, Signals Caution on Rate Cuts 
Yen Stabilizes After Suspected Intervention as Global Currency Markets Stay Cautious 
RBA Raises Interest Rates to 4.35% Amid Rising Inflation Risks and Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Steady as Earnings Season and Jobs Data Take Center Stage 
Eurozone Recession Risks Rise as Middle East Conflict Threatens Growth, ECB Official Warns 
Gold Prices Edge Higher Amid Middle East Tensions and Oil Market Volatility 
U.S. stock futures edged lower on Thursday as investors remained cautious ahead of the release of crucial U.S. unemployment data. Market participants are closely watching the labor market figures for signals on the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves, particularly whether conditions could support additional interest rate cuts later this year. The data is expected to influence short-term market sentiment as traders reassess the outlook for economic growth, inflation, and monetary policy.
Despite the broader weakness in futures, several major U.S. stocks made notable moves in premarket trading. Alphabet shares rose 0.8%, extending recent gains after the Google parent’s market capitalization surpassed that of Apple for the first time since 2019. The milestone reinforced investor confidence in Alphabet’s long-term growth prospects, especially in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital advertising.
Nvidia stock advanced 0.4% following a Bloomberg report that China may soon approve certain purchases of the company’s H200 artificial intelligence chips. Approval could come as early as this quarter, potentially reopening access to a critical market for the U.S. chipmaker and boosting demand for its high-performance AI hardware.
Defense stocks also rallied strongly in premarket trading. RTX gained 4.9%, while Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman climbed 7% and 7.6%, respectively. The surge came after suggestions of a significant increase in the U.S. military budget for 2027, outweighing concerns over President Trump’s proposal to restrict dividends and share buybacks until defense contractors accelerate weapons production.
Applied Digital shares jumped 6.1% after the data center operator reported better-than-expected second-quarter revenue and announced new lease agreements with two hyperscale customers across its North Dakota campuses. Constellation Brands rose 2% after posting stronger-than-expected third-quarter sales and profit, supported by steady demand for Modelo Especial and Corona beers.
On the downside, Alcoa stock fell 3.4% following a JPMorgan downgrade, while Gap shares climbed 3.9% after a bullish UBS upgrade, reflecting improving expectations for sales and earnings growth.
