US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
U.S. stock index futures held steady Tuesday night after Wall Street hit record highs, with investors awaiting key Federal Reserve signals on interest rates. Market sentiment remained cautious ahead of the Fed’s meeting minutes release and upcoming economic data.
S&P 500 Futures hovered at 6,148.75, while Nasdaq 100 Futures edged up to 22,245.50. Dow Jones Futures remained flat at 44,655.0. The S&P 500 closed 0.3% higher at a record 6,129.62, while the NASDAQ Composite added 0.1% to 20,041.26. The Dow Jones Industrial Average remained steady at 44,556.16.
The Fed’s January meeting minutes, set for release Wednesday, may offer insights into interest rate decisions as concerns over inflation and trade tariffs persist. Strong inflation data last week reinforced expectations of an extended pause in rate cuts. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports added further economic uncertainty.
Fed officials have largely signaled a commitment to keeping rates steady, with upcoming speeches from Governor Philip Jefferson and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee on Thursday. Investors are also eyeing February’s preliminary PMI data on Friday, which could provide clues on business activity trends.
Wall Street’s recent gains were fueled by strong earnings and optimism in the tech sector, particularly surrounding artificial intelligence. Investor focus also turned to U.S.-Russia negotiations over a potential Ukraine peace deal, though Kyiv remains absent from talks.
With economic uncertainty looming, investors are treading cautiously while monitoring key data and Fed signals for future market direction.
