Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
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 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Wall Street futures ticked up slightly on Monday evening, offering a modest rebound after major U.S. indexes slid earlier in the day on rising caution surrounding Nvidia’s upcoming earnings and a highly anticipated U.S. labor market update. The move came as Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller signaled support for additional rate cuts aimed at stabilizing employment, though most traders still expect the Fed to maintain current rates in December.
S&P 500 futures gained 0.2% to 6,702.75, while Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.2% to 24,924. Dow Jones futures added 0.1% to reach 46,724.
Major tech stocks weighed heavily on the broader market as investors trimmed exposure ahead of Nvidia’s quarterly report due Wednesday. Nvidia shares fell nearly 1.9%, extending a multiday decline as traders locked in profits from the company’s massive AI-driven rally over the last several years. Questions about the sustainability of its rapid growth have increased recently, adding to investor unease.
Other AI-focused and tech-related stocks also declined amid growing skepticism about the long-term returns from substantial industry investments. Palantir dropped 1.6%, pushing its five-day losses to nearly 10%. Alphabet was a rare standout, climbing 3.1% after Berkshire Hathaway revealed a $4.3 billion stake, and as markets anticipated the potential release of Google’s Gemini 3.0 AI model.
Despite Alphabet’s strength, losses across technology and cyclical sectors pushed all major U.S. indexes lower. The S&P 500 slipped 0.9%, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.8%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.2%.
Looking ahead, investors are awaiting earnings from major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. Additionally, attention is focused on Thursday’s release of delayed September nonfarm payrolls data. While Waller argued for rate cuts to protect the labor market, market expectations for a December cut have weakened. CME FedWatch now shows a 40.8% probability of a 25 basis-point cut, down sharply from last week, with nearly a 60% chance the Fed will hold rates steady.
