South Korea’s KOSPI Triggers Trading Curb as AI Chip Stock Selloff Deepens 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower Tuesday night as investors reacted to escalating geopolitical tensions involving Iran and stronger-than-expected inflation data that weighed heavily on Wall Street sentiment. Concerns about rising consumer prices, combined with profit-taking in major chipmaking stocks, pushed markets away from recent record highs.
S&P 500 Futures declined 0.1% to 7,419.25 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures slipped 0.16% to 29,124.75 points. Dow Jones Futures also traded slightly lower at 49,853.0 points during late evening trading. The cautious market mood followed a weak regular trading session where technology and semiconductor shares led losses.
The latest U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation accelerating in April, reaching its highest level since May 2023. Core CPI also exceeded expectations, reinforcing investor concerns that ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the Iran war, is driving up energy prices and increasing overall costs for consumers.
Higher oil and gas prices fueled speculation that the Federal Reserve could consider another interest rate hike later this year, although many analysts still expect rates to remain unchanged for the remainder of 2026. Investors are also closely monitoring leadership changes at the Federal Reserve as Jerome Powell’s term nears its end. President Donald Trump’s reported support for Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair has added another layer of uncertainty to financial markets.
Technology stocks came under pressure after weeks of strong gains. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index dropped 3% as investors locked in profits from the recent rally in chipmakers. The Nasdaq Composite ended Tuesday down 0.7%, while the S&P 500 lost nearly 0.2%.
Meanwhile, tensions between the United States and Iran continue to worry investors. Trump recently stated that ceasefire negotiations remain fragile and confirmed that U.S. naval measures against Iran will continue. Markets are now watching Trump’s upcoming China visit, where discussions with President Xi Jinping on trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and Iran could significantly impact global markets.
