China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
U.S. stock futures held steady on Thursday evening following a positive session on Wall Street, as traders evaluated a mix of corporate earnings while awaiting delayed inflation data caused by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.1% to 6,781.50, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.2% to 25,302.75, and Dow Jones Futures hovered around 46,919.0. The modest uptick followed solid gains in the regular session, with the S&P 500 up 0.6%, the Nasdaq Composite advancing 0.9%, and the Dow Jones adding 0.3%, supported by strength in industrials and technology shares.
Chipmaker Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) surged over 8% in after-hours trading after posting better-than-expected quarterly earnings, marking a return to profitability driven by strong demand for PC and data center chips. The company cited early benefits from its manufacturing turnaround and tighter cost management. Intel has also received recent capital boosts from Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and SoftBank Group (TYO: 9984), reinforcing optimism about its recovery.
In the industrial sector, Honeywell International (NASDAQ: HON) climbed after reporting upbeat earnings and raising its profit outlook. American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) also gained on stronger annual guidance, while T-Mobile US (NASDAQ: TMUS) reported solid subscriber growth despite cost concerns.
Investor sentiment was further lifted by a rally in quantum computing stocks, following reports that the U.S. government is considering taking equity stakes in select quantum firms to strengthen national innovation efforts. Meanwhile, easing trade concerns added to the market’s positive tone after the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week in South Korea.
However, trading remained cautious ahead of the delayed September Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, postponed due to the three-week government shutdown. With a Federal Reserve policy meeting approaching, markets are closely watching inflation data for clues on future rate cuts—expected at 25 basis points this month and another in December.
