Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
Oil Prices Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates and Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Tuesday evening following a record-setting close for the S&P 500, as stronger-than-expected economic growth data continued to bolster confidence in the U.S. economy. Market participants remained cautious, however, with trading activity expected to stay subdued during a holiday-shortened week.
As of 19:48 ET (00:48 GMT), S&P 500 Futures were largely flat at 6,957.75 points. Nasdaq 100 Futures also showed minimal movement, holding steady around 25,818.00 points, while Dow Jones Futures hovered near 48,743.0 points. With U.S. stock exchanges set to close early at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday for Christmas Eve and remain closed on Thursday for Christmas Day, lighter trading volumes are anticipated across Wall Street.
During the regular trading session, U.S. equities advanced, driven primarily by gains in technology and growth stocks. The S&P 500 rose approximately 0.5% to reach a new all-time closing high. The Nasdaq Composite added about 0.6%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 0.2%, reflecting broad-based optimism among investors.
Sentiment was supported by fresh economic data showing the U.S. economy expanded at a robust pace in the third quarter. Gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 4.3%, exceeding market expectations and reinforcing the view that economic momentum remains strong. Although the data initially pushed U.S. Treasury yields slightly higher, equity markets appeared largely unfazed, as investors viewed the figures as backward-looking and unlikely to significantly alter the Federal Reserve’s policy trajectory.
Markets are also entering the period commonly known as the “Santa Claus rally,” which historically refers to gains during the final five trading days of December and the first two sessions of January. So far, recent advances have kept that seasonal trend intact.
Despite resilient growth and persistent inflation pressures, interest-rate futures suggest traders still expect the Federal Reserve to begin easing monetary policy in 2026, maintaining a cautiously optimistic outlook for U.S. stocks heading into year-end.
