China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
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.
