ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
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.
