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Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
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US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
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Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
U.S. stock index futures traded flat to lower Thursday evening as investors weighed sticky inflation data against relief from a delay in U.S. trade tariffs. Futures held steady following a strong Wall Street session driven by tech stock rallies and optimism over U.S.-Russia peace talks.
S&P 500 Futures remained at 6,134.50 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures dipped 0.1% to 22,086.0 points, and Dow Jones Futures stayed flat at 44,827.0 points.
Investor sentiment improved after President Donald Trump signed an executive order outlining reciprocal trade tariffs but held off on immediate implementation. Earlier in the week, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and indicated higher tariffs were coming without a set timeline.
Wall Street also found support from lower Treasury yields despite a hotter-than-expected January producer price index (PPI) reading. PPI data, while elevated, hinted at possible softness in components affecting the Federal Reserve’s preferred PCE price index. A softer PCE print could signal more room for rate cuts, though Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that the central bank remains cautious on easing monetary policy.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January also exceeded forecasts, signaling persistent inflation pressures.
Despite inflation concerns, major tech stocks surged amid falling yields. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) rose 3.2%, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) gained 2%, and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) jumped nearly 6% after hitting a 2.5-month low.
On Thursday, the S&P 500 climbed 1% to 6,115.07 points, nearing a record high. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.5% to 19,945.64 points, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.8% to 44,711.49 points.
