Asian Stocks Mixed as RBA Holds Rates, Oil Risks Rise 
Gold Prices Slip From Two-Month High as Inflation and Fed Outlook Drive Markets 
Canada, US Hold Fresh Trade Talks as August 19 Tariff Deadline Nears 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Slip as Oil Jumps on Iran Tensions 
US Dollar Holds Firm as Fed Outlook and Iran Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,400 as Hormuz Risks and CPI Drive Markets 
Iran War Escalates as US, Houthis Target Ships Near Key Oil Routes 
European Stocks Rise as U.S. Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Asian Stocks Rise as AI Chip Rally Lifts South Korea, Japan 
Yen Stabilizes After Intervention Slide as Australian Dollar Hits Eight-Week High 
U.S. Stock Futures Flat Ahead of July CPI Data 
UK Economy Posts Surprise June Growth as World Cup and Hot Weather Lift Activity 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm After U.S. Inflation Data 
Dollar Steady as Markets Await U.S. Inflation Data 
Trump Weighs Capital Gains Tax Cuts Ahead of Midterms 
Japan Government Backs Earlier BOJ Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Build 
Add as a preferred source on Google
U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Wednesday evening after Wall Street closed at fresh record highs, driven by growing optimism over a possible peace agreement between the United States and Iran, alongside a powerful rally in semiconductor stocks led by AMD.
S&P 500 Futures dipped 0.1% to 7,379.75 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures slipped 0.15% to 28,672.75 points. Dow Jones Futures also declined 0.1% to 49,991.0 points during evening trading.
Earlier in the session, major U.S. indexes surged after reports suggested the White House was nearing a diplomatic agreement with Iran aimed at easing tensions and advancing negotiations surrounding Tehran’s nuclear activities. President Donald Trump also signaled optimism regarding the conflict, helping improve investor sentiment across global markets.
The possibility of reduced geopolitical tensions pushed oil prices sharply lower, while investors shifted toward risk assets such as equities. Analysts noted that hopes of stability in the Middle East particularly boosted confidence on Wall Street.
Technology stocks were another major catalyst behind the rally. AMD shares soared nearly 19% after the chipmaker posted stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings and issued a bullish outlook fueled by rising artificial intelligence demand. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbed 4.5% to a record high as investors increased exposure to AI-related chip stocks.
The Nasdaq Composite jumped 2% to close at an all-time high of 25,838.94 points. The S&P 500 gained 1.5% to finish at 7,365.03 points, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.2% to 49,910.59 points.
Investors are now watching upcoming corporate earnings reports from McDonald’s, Gilead Sciences, Airbnb, Motorola Solutions, and McKesson. Markets are also focused on Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, which could influence expectations for future Federal Reserve interest rate decisions.
