South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, easing investor concerns and lifting major Wall Street indexes. The 6-3 ruling invalidated tariffs introduced last year under a federal law designed for national emergencies, sparking a relief rally across equity markets.
Although Trump criticized the decision and announced plans to implement a 10% global tariff for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, investors reacted positively. Market participants were reassured that the replacement tariff was lower than feared, reducing uncertainty around U.S. trade policy and its impact on corporate earnings.
The S&P 500 climbed 0.69% to 6,909.51, while the Nasdaq Composite surged 0.90% to 22,886.07. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.47% to 49,625.97. For the week, the S&P 500 gained 1.08%, the Nasdaq rose 1.51%, and the Dow added 0.25%. Despite the weekly gains, the S&P 500 is up nearly 1% in 2026, trailing MSCI’s global stock index, which has risen more than 3%.
Technology heavyweights led the rally. Alphabet jumped 3.7%, Amazon gained 2.6%, and Apple rose 1.5%, supporting broader market momentum. Communication services surged 2.65%, making it the best-performing S&P 500 sector, followed by a 1.27% rise in consumer discretionary stocks. Companies previously pressured by tariffs, including Hasbro, Wayfair, Williams-Sonoma, and RH, also posted modest gains.
Investors remain focused on economic data and Federal Reserve policy. Recent reports showed slower U.S. economic growth in the fourth quarter and rising inflation in December. According to CME’s FedWatch Tool, traders see just over a 50% chance of a Fed rate cut by June.
Attention is also turning to Nvidia’s upcoming earnings, as volatility in AI-related stocks continues amid concerns over high valuations and uncertain returns on artificial intelligence investments. Meanwhile, trading volume was light at 18.3 billion shares, below the 20-session average of 20.3 billion.
