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 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Mega IPOs Like SpaceX and OpenAI Could Reshape S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 Portfolios in 2026 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
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 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
U.S. stocks closed sharply higher on Wednesday as investors positioned themselves ahead of Nvidia’s highly anticipated quarterly earnings report. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to 6,947.98, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.3% to 23,152.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.6%, ending the session at 49,482.27. The rebound extended a recovery in the technology sector after Monday’s sharp sell-off, signaling renewed confidence in AI-driven growth stocks.
Market sentiment improved as fears surrounding artificial intelligence disruption across multiple industries began to ease. Investors welcomed fresh developments in the AI space, including Meta Platforms’ multi-year partnership with Advanced Micro Devices and new strategic collaborations announced by Anthropic. These updates helped stabilize software and data-related stocks that had recently faced pressure.
All eyes are now on Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), whose earnings are expected to serve as a bellwether for the broader AI industry and global chip demand. The company has surpassed revenue expectations for 13 consecutive quarters. Analysts forecast a 62% jump in quarterly profit and a 68% surge in revenue, according to LSEG data. Nvidia shares climbed 1.4% ahead of the results, reflecting cautious optimism across Wall Street. Earnings from Salesforce and Snowflake are also scheduled after the closing bell.
Outside the tech sector, MercadoLibre shares dropped nearly 8% after reporting lower quarterly profits due to increased spending on credit and logistics expansion.
Meanwhile, investors continue monitoring U.S. tariff policy. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for temporary 10% global tariffs during his State of the Union address, despite a recent Supreme Court decision challenging prior trade measures.
In commodities markets, oil prices hovered near seven-month highs. Brent crude rose 0.3% to $70.76 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate slipped 0.2% to $65.47, as traders focused on upcoming U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and heightened geopolitical tensions.
