South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
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 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower Thursday evening after a sharp sell-off in technology stocks dragged Wall Street into steep losses, while investors turned their attention to upcoming consumer price index (CPI) inflation data for further direction. Market sentiment remained fragile amid concerns over artificial intelligence disruptions, weaker corporate earnings, and uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve interest rate policy.
S&P 500 Futures declined 0.1% to 6,845.75 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures also slipped 0.1% to 24,741.0 points. Dow Jones Futures traded slightly lower at 49,506.0 points as of 19:57 ET (00:57 GMT). The cautious tone followed a broad downturn during the regular trading session, led by heavy losses in technology shares.
On Thursday, the S&P 500 dropped 1.6% to close at 6,832.75 points, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 2% to 22,597.15 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.3% to 49,451.88 points. Technology stocks were at the center of the sell-off, with Cisco Systems plunging 12% after reporting weaker-than-expected earnings. The decline weighed on other major tech companies, including members of the “Magnificent Seven,” which fell between 0.6% and 3%.
Investor concerns also intensified following reports that AI firm Algorhythm Holdings introduced a new logistics optimization tool that could significantly reduce inefficiencies in freight and transportation. While Algorhythm shares surged nearly 30%, trucking and logistics stocks sold off sharply amid fears of reduced demand.
Markets are now closely watching January CPI data, which is expected to show a slight cooling in both headline and core inflation. However, inflation has exceeded expectations in January for the past four years, raising concerns of another upside surprise. Stronger-than-expected nonfarm payrolls data earlier this week reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve may delay interest rate cuts. According to CME FedWatch data, traders are largely pricing in no rate cuts in March or April, adding further pressure on U.S. equity markets.
