Dollar Rises as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Rate Hike Fears 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Dollar Holds Steady Ahead of U.S. CPI as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
U.S. stock futures traded mostly unchanged on Thursday evening after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at fresh record highs for the second consecutive session. Investor confidence improved following reports that the United States and Iran had reached a draft agreement to extend their ceasefire for another 60 days, easing fears of further disruption in global oil supplies.
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.1% to 7,586.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures remained nearly flat at 30,303.75 points. Dow Jones Futures also showed little movement at 50,733.0 points during late trading hours.
In the regular trading session, the S&P 500 gained 0.6% to close at 7,563.78, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.9% to end at a new all-time high of 26,917.47. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged slightly higher by 0.1%.
Market sentiment strengthened after Axios reported that U.S. and Iranian officials had agreed on a framework to maintain the ceasefire. The potential deal reduced concerns over instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. However, the agreement still requires approval from U.S. President Donald Trump, and Iranian officials stated that negotiations are not yet finalized.
Oil prices declined following the reports, supporting technology and growth stocks that are sensitive to interest rate expectations. Investors continued to favor AI-related technology shares, which remained a major driver behind Wall Street’s strong performance.
Despite the market rally, investors stayed cautious after the latest Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index showed inflation accelerating at its fastest pace in three years. Rising energy costs linked to Middle East tensions contributed to the increase, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for longer.
Meanwhile, revised data from the Commerce Department showed U.S. first-quarter GDP growth slowed to an annualized rate of 1.6%, below the previously estimated 2.0%. Treasury yields eased after the weaker economic data, although inflation concerns continue to cloud the outlook for monetary policy and financial markets in 2026.
