Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
U.S. stock index futures plunged Wednesday evening following President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of sweeping new tariffs. All imported goods will face a baseline 10% tariff starting April 5, with significantly higher rates for select countries beginning April 9.
S&P 500 Futures dropped 3.6% to 5,505.25, Nasdaq 100 Futures fell 4.5% to 18,875.50, and Dow Jones Futures slid 2.5% to 41,443.0 by 20:02 ET (00:02 GMT). The sharp decline came as investors feared inflation and potential trade retaliation.
Trump’s announcement includes a 34% tariff on Chinese goods on top of existing 20% duties, while the EU, Japan, and others face 20% to 49% rates. Although Canada and Mexico are exempt from the 10% base rate due to trade agreements, they are still subject to 25% tariffs on most goods. A separate 25% tariff on foreign-made cars and auto parts will begin April 3, 2025.
The president defended the move, citing unfair trade practices and currency manipulation, aiming to boost U.S. manufacturing and reduce the national debt. However, markets reacted negatively, with analysts warning of economic disruption.
ING analysts noted the measures could eventually benefit the U.S. economy but predicted a challenging adjustment period.
Before the tariff news, U.S. stocks closed higher on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 up 0.7%, the NASDAQ Composite gaining 0.9%, and the Dow Jones rising 0.6%. Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) shares closed 5.3% higher amid rumors that CEO Elon Musk might step down from a government role—claims Musk later called “fake news.” However, Tesla's Q1 deliveries fell short at 336,681 vehicles versus a 390,000 estimate, sending shares down 7.7% in after-hours trading, reflecting broader market unease.
