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 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
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 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Wall Street closed higher on Friday, lifted by technology shares, as optimism over a potential easing of U.S.-China trade tensions buoyed markets. Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) surged 1.7% after surpassing earnings expectations and reaffirming its AI investment plans, helping push the S&P 500 technology, consumer discretionary, and communication services sectors up more than 1% each.
Investors are closely watching corporate earnings calls, cautious of any reduced forecasts amid ongoing uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariff strategies. Trump claimed in a Time magazine interview that trade talks with China were progressing, though Beijing denied any negotiations, adding to the mixed signals over the global trade outlook. Tariffs imposed since April 2 had raised fears of slowed economic growth.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 20.10 points (0.05%) to 40,113.50, the S&P 500 rose 40.44 points (0.74%) to 5,525.21, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 216.90 points (1.26%) to 17,382.94. Globally, MSCI’s stock index advanced 0.60%, while Europe’s STOXX 600 added 0.35%. Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1.8%, fully recovering from tariff-related losses.
The dollar logged its first weekly gain since March, rising 0.07% against a currency basket. It strengthened 0.67% against the yen to 143.555, while the euro edged down 0.11% to $1.1377. Gold prices dropped 1.7% to $3,292.99 an ounce, despite the dollar’s recovery.
U.S. Treasury yields slipped, with the benchmark 10-year note yield falling to 4.268%, reflecting hopes for a Federal Reserve rate cut. Oil prices edged higher but posted weekly losses, with Brent closing at $66.87 and WTI at $63.02 per barrel.
