Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
U.S. stock index futures edged lower Sunday night after President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s response to a U.S.-backed peace proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Investor sentiment weakened as fears of prolonged geopolitical instability in the Middle East continued to pressure global markets and drive oil prices higher.
S&P 500 Futures declined 0.1% to 7,398.93 points, while Dow Jones Futures dropped 0.2% to 49,610. Nasdaq 100 Futures remained mostly unchanged at 29,329.75. Despite the slight pullback, Wall Street remained close to record highs, supported by continued strength in technology and semiconductor stocks, along with signs of resilience in the U.S. economy.
Trump described Iran’s response to the 14-point American proposal as “totally unacceptable” after Tehran reportedly delivered its position through Pakistani mediators. Iran rejected demands to dismantle its nuclear facilities and opposed suspending uranium enrichment for the next 20 years. Tehran instead called for an end to military operations, a gradual reopening of commercial shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade before entering further nuclear negotiations.
The latest developments suggest there is little immediate hope for de-escalation in the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. Oil prices surged following Trump’s comments, as traders feared additional disruptions to energy supplies and shipping routes in the Gulf region.
Meanwhile, Wall Street closed at fresh record highs on Friday, fueled by strong gains in chipmaking companies. Investors remain optimistic about booming AI-related demand, which has significantly boosted semiconductor valuations in recent weeks. Intel shares jumped nearly 14% after reports indicated the company reached a preliminary chip production agreement with Apple.
Markets were also supported by stronger-than-expected U.S. nonfarm payrolls data for April, reinforcing confidence in the economy and increasing expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged for the remainder of the year.
