Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
U.S. stock futures were little changed Wednesday evening following a muted session on Wall Street, as investors weighed a stronger-than-expected jobs report that dampened expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts. Market participants are now turning their attention to upcoming inflation data for further direction.
By 8:04 p.m. ET, S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1% to 6,963.75, Dow Jones futures gained 0.1% to 50,228.0, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 0.1% to 25,262.75. The modest moves came after major U.S. indexes closed nearly flat in regular trading. The S&P 500 ended unchanged, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1%, snapping a three-day winning streak, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2%.
Investor sentiment shifted after fresh labor market data showed the U.S. economy added 130,000 nonfarm payrolls in January, surpassing economist expectations. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%, signaling continued economic resilience. While strong employment growth supports the broader economic outlook, it also reduces the likelihood of imminent interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Traders have since scaled back bets on monetary policy easing in the coming months.
However, revisions to prior months’ data pointed to softer underlying job trends, suggesting pockets of weakness beneath the headline numbers. Analysts noted that outside of sectors such as leisure and hospitality, private healthcare, and government, job growth has been less consistent. This mixed picture keeps the debate over future Fed policy moves open, with some economists still forecasting potential rate cuts later this year.
Markets are now closely watching Friday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which could provide critical insight into inflation trends and shape expectations for future Federal Reserve decisions.
In corporate news, McDonald’s reported quarterly earnings that beat revenue and sales estimates, though its stock showed limited after-hours movement. Meanwhile, Cisco Systems shares fell 7% in extended trading after issuing disappointing earnings and guidance, adding pressure to technology stocks.
