Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
U.S. stock index futures traded little changed on Monday evening as investors prepared for a week packed with major economic data releases and Federal Reserve commentary that could shape the outlook for interest rates. Holiday-thinned trading kept volumes subdued, while markets continued to digest last week’s mixed consumer inflation report and a sharp sell-off in technology stocks.
As of 20:29 ET (01:29 GMT), S&P 500 Futures hovered near 6,852.50 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures edged slightly lower to 24,788.50 points, and Dow Jones Futures held steady around 49,554.0 points. The muted movement reflects investor caution ahead of crucial macroeconomic indicators and ongoing volatility in tech shares driven by concerns about disruptions from the artificial intelligence sector.
Market participants are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes, scheduled for release on Wednesday, for clearer signals on the future path of U.S. interest rates. Several Fed officials are also expected to speak this week, potentially offering further guidance on monetary policy. In addition, industrial production and durable goods data will be released Wednesday, followed by December trade data on Thursday.
Friday’s Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, is likely to be the most closely watched report. The PCE inflation data could provide stronger clues about whether the central bank will maintain its current rate stance in the coming months.
On Friday, Wall Street ended mostly flat despite slightly cooler-than-expected January consumer price index data. While headline and core CPI figures showed modest easing, the data did not significantly shift expectations that interest rates will remain steady. Technology stocks continued to weigh on broader indexes amid AI-related uncertainty. For the week, the S&P 500 declined 1.4%, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.2%, underscoring persistent market volatility.
