Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Asian Stocks Slide as Oil Surge, U.S.-Iran Tensions and Fed Rate Bets Weigh on Markets 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
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.
