Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Wall Street surged on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at all-time highs as investor sentiment rose on trade deal optimism and growing expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Despite some volatility after President Trump ended trade talks with Canada over its digital tax on tech firms, all three major U.S. indexes logged weekly gains.
The Nasdaq officially entered a bull market, climbing more than 20% from its April 8 low. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 432.43 points (1.00%) to 43,819.27, the S&P 500 added 32.05 points (0.52%) to 6,173.07, and the Nasdaq gained 105.55 points (0.52%) to close at 20,273.46.
Investors are increasingly betting on a Fed rate cut, with CME’s FedWatch tool showing a 76% probability of a September cut and 19% odds for July. Economic data added fuel to the rally, with May’s PCE report showing unexpected drops in consumer income and spending, while inflation stayed above the Fed’s 2% target. Consumer sentiment also improved, though it remains below post-election highs.
In sector performance, consumer discretionary led the S&P 500, while energy lagged. AI stocks gained momentum as Micron’s strong outlook boosted investor confidence. Nvidia rose 1.8%, approaching a $4 trillion valuation. Nike shares soared 15.2% after better-than-expected guidance.
Market breadth showed advancing NYSE stocks outpacing decliners by 1.29-to-1, with 347 new highs. On Nasdaq, decliners slightly outnumbered gainers. The session saw unusually high trading volume, hitting 22.07 billion shares versus the 20-day average of 18.27 billion.
Overall, investors continue riding bullish momentum driven by AI optimism, monetary policy expectations, and hopes for global trade resolution.
